f LIBRARY O^CONGRESS.I 

Ml^r?^.... lapangW fa ^ 

^ ^ 

^ UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. J 



POETIC FRAGMENTS; 



O R, 



COLLEGE POEMS. 



BY 



GEORGE W. WARDER, 

ATTORNEY AT LAW, CHILLICOTHE, MO 



^'q$n 



^ ^.,.'-^ lis./ 



ST. LOUIS: '^■■^:~ 

SOUTHWESTERN BOOK AND PUBLISHING COMP'NY. 
510 AND 512 Washington Ave. 

1873- 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, by 

GEORGE W. WARDER, 
In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 



CONTENTS 



PAGE. 

I, Introductory - 5 

II. The Rolling Years 9 

III. Reflections on a Spring Morning 35 

IV. To a Friend on the Death of His 

Mother 3^ 

V. Last Words of Stonewall Jackson 38 

VI. Our Loved and Lost 41 

VII. To Ettie, the Rosebud of the Hillside - - - 43 

VIII. Ettie, the Rosebud, Has Perished 46 

IX. A Distant View 49 

X. Sleep, Death, and Oblivion S3 

XI. Mind 57 

XII. We Meet to Part Again 62 

XIII. Be Frugal with Each Trusted Thing 64 

XIV. The Captive Jews 69 

XV. Woman 71 

XVI. Farewell to Mary 74 

XVII. To Jennie, in Remembrance 76 

XVIII. To Miss B. on Her Departure for College 77 
XIX. To a Fair One, by an Unknown Admirer 79 

XX. Lines to Miss Laura 81 

XXI. Lines Written on the Missouri River 

While on My Way West 84 



IV CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

XXII. To Ella Gray 86 

XXIII. A Soldier's Epitaph 89 

XXIV. Fragments to Mary — Remembrance 90 

XXV, Fragments to Mary — Friendship and the 

Past 93 

XXVI. Farewell to Santa Fe 95 

XXVII. Description of Day and Night on the 

Plains, etc 99 

XXVIII. Farewell to Miss W 104 

XXIX. Fragments . . . .' 105 

XXX. To Virginia 107 

XXXI. Farewell to the Athanean Society no 

XXXII. On Hearing of the Death of a Lady 

Friend 112 

XXXIII. Scipio and the Captive Princess 117 

XXXIV. To-morrow 126 

XXXV. My Ideal 134 



INTRODUCTORY. 



Kind reader, to the mind the past, the present, 
And the future seem aUke, for, dweUing in 
That little niche of time, the real but ever fleeting 
Present, enthroned amid its own creations — 
At its will it shakes the dust of time from 
Forms long silent, and bids them tread 
With airy steps the halls of memory, or mounting 
On the wings of hope expectant, penetrates 
The misty veil of the dim, shadowy beyond 
That hides the future from the present. 
The joyous scenes and golden dreams of youth. 
In all their freshness and intensity, come once 
Aldne in all the varied rounds of human life. 
Though oft they rise before us, like figures 
Crystallized upon the dusky caverns of the 
Bygone days, or in the magic chambers of 
Recollection, photographed upon its walls, like 
Pictures hung along some " gorgeous antique 
Gallery of art," they pass in bright array before us. 
I count among the pleasant things of life, 
The sweet remembrance of a happy, joyous youth. 
When thrilled and trembling on the threshold of 
A coming life, with high-bounding spirit. 



INTRODUCTORY. 

Buoyant hopes, bright, glowing aspirations, 

And the golden day-dreams of a new awaking fancy. 

The mind of youth enchanted by the golden-tinted 

Sunrise spreading o'er the ever blooming fields, 

And gilded prospects of the coming years and 

The boundless universe beyond ; seems startled at' 

The wide, elastic sweep of its own mystic powers. 

And like the proud eagle, that bathes his plumage 

In the bursting dawn, and cleaves with fearless 

Wing the radiant pathway of the burning sun ; 

Or, like the heaven-aspiring builders of the Babel Tower, 

It seeks to rise, to struggle up to broader views 

And brighter skies, and leave the dull reality 

Of real life and sordid cares behmd. 

This causes poetry. 'Tis the first effort of the 

Mind to soar into fair fields of glowing fancy. 

To lift itself into high channels of bright thought ; 

To perceptions lofty and enthusiastic of the 

Grand and beautiful, to struggle up to greater 

Light, to something higher, better, and more noble 

Than the stolid, grovelling, and material things 

That make the routine of each passing hour, 

And to discover fresh grandeur in the earth and sky. 

The good and great of every age have felt in early 

Life, or elder years, this restless longing. 

And enthusiastic inspiration. 

And some have written with their pens 

Dipped in the sunbeams. The rainbow's tints. 

The silver lining of the gilded clouds, the ocean's 

Grandeur, the mountain's height majestic, the splendor 



INTRODUCTORY. 7 

Of the burning sun, the ceaseless roll of circling 
Seasons, the mighty sweep of rivers to the ocean. 
The matchless skill of Nature, her beauties and sub- 
limities, 
The acts and incidents of ages past, the ebb and flow 
Of human life, its wondrous thrilling chords of human 

passion, 
Its loves and cares, hopes, toils, and strifes, 
Its brightest joys and darkest woes. 
Have all been painted with a master hand. 
And scarce can any writer of the present age 
Add aught of beauty, sublimity of thought. 
Or polished verse and diction, to the rare 
And sparkling gems already interwoven in 
Our noble, expressive, high-perfected literature. 
Nor does the author of this little unassuming book 
Hope or aspire to such a task herculean. 
Or to fame poetic. But if in early youth. 
Tempted by the gentle muses, he did plume 
The wing of thought with measured sweep toward 
The heights of Mount Parnassus, and for his own, 
And the pleasure of a few appreciative friends, 
Should publish %ova.Q fragments of his musings. 
Is it strange ? nor should it tempt the evil 
Eye of cruel criticism, but the soft mantle 
Of meek-eyed charity should cover all. 
The author would further add, that if his muse 
Has not attained to rare and lofty flights. 
She ne'er has lowered her wing to dip in songs 
Of revelry, or loose and debasing sentiment. 



8 INTRODUCTORY. 

Such as impair the beauty and value of many 
Works poetic, but with a sober yet ardent wing, 
Has borne but chaste and elevating thought, 
Such as can do the world no hurt, and may 
Arouse in some a better heart and nobler actions, , 
Which is a sweet reflection, and adds another 
Incentive to publication. 

[These Fragments were written by the author in his 
Early youth and college days — almost entirely 
Between his fifteenth and his nineteenth years — 
With no view to publication, and are now chiefly 
Published to revive and preserve the pleasant 
Reminiscences of those swiftly passing years, 
Since which the cares and duties of an active 
Professional life have prevented their revision. 
Or the addition thereto of other poetic effusions.] 

The Author. 

Chillicothb, Mo., September 15th, 1873. 




le fflapB* 



THE EOLLING TEAES. 



Bead at the Annual Exhibition of the Athanean Society, connected with 
the State University, Columbia, Mo., Jan. 13, 1865. 



The years glide by, like the wings of the blast, 

That leave in their course a sigh as they pass ; 

Like a chariot wheel that, revolving, rolls. 

And crushes the lilies that summer unfolds; 

Like a comet, whirling through ethereal space, 

Trailing fiery tail with majestic grace ; 

Like the billows of ocean, that bear on their breast 

The fate of thousands of the good and the blest : 

So the years roll by, in their swiftness of flight, 

And bear away on their bosom calm scenes of delight — 

Scenes of pleasure most rare and sorrow most deep, 

Of hopes that have fled and friends that now sleep. 

Of fears now at rest and dangers passed by, 

Of the lover's farewell and the maiden's deep sigh, 

Of the father's kind blessing, the son's parting adieu, 

Of friendships, now broken, we would gladly renew, 

Of trials and cares, as dark as the gloom 

That fills the deep dungeon or shadows the tomb. 



10 POETIC FRAGMENTS;' 

They, heedless, behold, as they speed on their course, 
The changes they bring by their conquering force — 
Of nations that melt at their calm, steady glance. 
More dangerous by far than the conquering lance. 
And crumble away at their stern, mighty tread, 
And sink to repose — the repose of the dead ; 
And nations that rise, like the Phoenix of old, 
From ashes of others whose fate has been told, 
And brightly loom up in glory and pride, 
Like a light-house whose base is washed by the tide, 
While its majestic head it rears aloft to the sky. 
As if time, seasons and changes 'twould sternly defy. 
Proud nations, like it, years circling away, 
On their base feebly totter, and sink to decay. 
The years bear away their wealth, honor and fame. 
And inscribe on their tombs the empty sound of a name. 
History alone reveals their deeds of glory and of power, 
"Like a school-boy's dream, the vision of an hour." 
The years have rolled on since creation's first dawn. 
And the deeds of the mighty bright annals adorn ; 
They beheld this new globe at its earliest birth. 
When it sprang from dark chaos, a fresh, beautiful earth. 
As 'twas hurled from His hands through empyreal space, 
And now number the circles it has made in the race. 
They beheld the Pair Pure as before Him they stood, 
And heard the glad words, " Behold, it is good," 
And rejoiced that their circlings should number the years 
Of a world free from sin, from sorrow and tears. 
They saw our first parents the command disobey, 
" If thou eat of that fruit thou shalt die in that da_y." 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 11 

And methinks they did weep, and in sorrow did sigh, 

That to righteousness and hoHness the world should die ; 

That they on their hurried courses should go 

But to number our sorrows and double our wo. 

They saw the murderous Cain, with his club uplifted 

high, 
When he slew his brother Abel, and his blood cried to ^ 

the sky; 
With pitying eyes did view this unsightly, cruel deed. 
Saw the first-born of the earth cause the second-born to 

bleed ; 
Second man, first murderer ! When, then, ye rolUng years. 
Was the golden age of man ? When was neither fears 

nor tears ? 
When did peaceful, loving man walk in simple, quiet ways, 
With few wants and fewer cares, pass pure, blissful, golden 

days ? 
Before the flood, when giants lived in wickedness and strife, 
Or when, in Patriarchal age, men led a wandering life, 
And watched their quiet, lowing herds, and every chief- 
tain sought 
To rob his neighbor, and in feuds for flocks and pasture 

fought ? 
In the dark and middle ages, when the strength of might 

was right. 
And vice and superstition wrapped the earth with gloom 

of night ? 
When the cruel Inquisition led to torture and the stake. 
And the captor slew the captive, or base slave of 'him 

did make ? 



12 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

When, by claim of right divine, cruel kings did fiercely 

reign; 
Thousands cast they into dungeons ; whom they would 

were quickly slain ? 
When ignorance and oppression swayed the earth with 

cruel hand; 
When rehgion was benighted, and peace and safety fled 

the land ? 
Then methinks the years would say : In the poet's fancy 

free 
Can alone be found the age of perfect peace and inno- 

cency. 
They beheld the Antedeluvians in their wickedness so 

bold, 
And saw the mighty waters o'er a guilty people rolled; 
Saw the glorious bow of promise, with its glittering arch 

unfurled, 
Span the blue ethereal vault of a newly drowned world ; 
Saw the few and timorous remnant, with hopeful, tearful 

eyes. 
Look upon the joyous token glowdng in the distant skies — 
Token, beautiful and glorious, that never more again 
Should this sin-cursed world of sorrow be deluged by 

the rain. 
Saw them leave their floating home upon the watery deep. 
And clamber dowrj the rugged heights of Arrarat so steep, 
And shortly spread in numbers large o'er Shinar's fertile 

plain ; 
And, trusting in their wealth and strength, they sought, 

but all in vain. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 13 

To build a tower, vast and high, to reach above the 

vaulted sky ; 
Nor thought the Lord could thwart their aim, nor years 

could blast it with a sigh : 
But, smitten with a varied speech, they ceased the tower 

to build, 
And since with varied, tongues old babbling earth have 

filled. 
Then nations first began to form, and chiefl;ains pledged 

their hands 
Each to protect each other's lands from cruel wars and 

robber bands, 
And peace and safety was the tie that bound them fast 

as nations small. 
Until they conquered other lands, and centred strength 

protected all ; 
Until there rose, both high and strong, like pyramids 

that stand along 
Time's rugged highway, mighty nations, where vast mil- 
lions throng. 
In the early dawn of time — in their infancy — the years 
Heard the stars sing first together, and the music of the 

spheres ; 
Heard Him say, " Let there be light : " saw the glowing 

radiance rise 
Above chaotic darkness deep, and spread o'er all the skies; 
Saw the vast majestic ocean, when its billows found a 

shore, / 

When He piled the cliffs around it, and said, " Thus far 

and no more ; " 



14 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

When He lifted up the mountains high above the plains 

below, 
And wrapt the earth in fleecy clouds as white as driven 

snow, 
And balanced them in beauty nice, with faultless sweep 

and grace, 
Before the thunder rolledhervoiceorHghtninglittheir face; 
When the earth was gently watered by the soft and silent 

dew, 
And dark and stormy clouds ne'er spread above the 

ether blue; 
When He hung the bright cerulean vault, in beauty high 

above, 
And made the King of Day ride forth with beams of 

light and love. 
And caused the bright and starry host to walk the nightly 

plain. 
And Luna show her glowing face above the silvery main ; 
By the sure and steady process made earth's strata, 

formed its rocks. 
Made the valleys and the heights by the vast upheaval 

shocks ; 
Saw the million seed forms cast profusely o'er the earth, 
From which the beauteous trees and flowers sprang 

quickly into birth ; 
Saw earth hurled through realms of air, like ball of plas- 
tic fire spun. 
Till crusted firm, and hardened by years o'er which it run, 
On which the feeble sons" of men with thoughtless feet 

have trod 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 15 

Awhile among its graves and flowers, then laid beneath 

its sod ; 
Then crumbled back to mother dust, which oft from 

careless feet 
Is shaken on the arid plain or in the dusty street, 
Until the host of those that now have mouldered back 

to dust 
Are billions to the few that live an(^ tread this earthly- 
crust. 
Thou hast measured the rise of nations, their progress 

and decay, 
And saw the great of earth in their glory pass away ; 
Saw patriarchs of old rove with cattle and with tents, 
Governing their large families with justice and good sense. 
And how the valiant Nimrod, the great hunter of renown, 
Founded the first monarchy, and built a mighty town. 
Saw the ancient city, Nineveh, the wicked, great and 

proud. 
And how Assyrian Empire first did lift her head amid 

the cloud ; 
How the Persian Empire rose, and towered in her 

might, 
And great Babylon flourished in luxury and delight. 
Thou didst see that great city in her glory and her pride, 
And how her streets were crowded by a living human 

tide. 
Yet she felt the conquering power of thy ever mighty 

tread. 
And to the spot where once she stood the prowling beasts 

have fled; 



16 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

Saw her lead her million captives through her massive 

gates and towers, 
Amid her wars and triumphs — amid her games and festive 

hours ; 
Saw her conquests spread and grow from ocean to the sea, 
Until her glory shone as no city now we see. 
How art and science flourished in Egypt for awhile; 
How her mighty cities rose, and many a towering pile. 
Didst see the pyramids built that still rear aloft their head. 
Still scorn thy changing power, and defy thy mighty 

tread ; 
How the Israelites were guided through whatever land 

they trod, 
In Egypt or the desert, by the word and hand of God. 
Didst number forty years ere their Canaan they did see, 
And whate'er their prophets told thou didst surely prove 

to be. 
Viewed Solomon in his wisdom, with his glory, wealth 

and power, 
And saw his kingdom rent asunder in an evil hour; 
Saw the cities. Tyre and Sidon, with their ships and 

sailors bold. 
With their many flourishing colonies and heaps of 

treasured gold — 
Saw them first of all the nations that ventured on the sea, 
And brought rich cargoes from afar, and trafficked wide 

and free. 
Hast witnessed many a furious combat, and many a 

bloody fight : 
Saw the Persian Empire fall beneath the Grecian might ; 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 



17 



Saw the Grecian nations rise in art and science higher, 
And shake the conquering spear, and touch the melting 

lyre; 
Heard the thunder of her eloquence, and the multitude's 

applause. 
Saw her yearly crowded games and the justness of her 

laws. 
Yet Greece, bright, lovely Greece, her glory did depart 
Beneath the tread of years that stilled her throbbing heart: 
Her schools of art and learning the world has ne'er ex- 
celled ; 
Her statesmen, sculptors, painters, poets, for ages high 

repute have held ; 
Her Demosthenes and Phocian, orators eloquent and 

bold; 
Her sages, Socrates and Plato, did logic and learning 

deep unfold. 
The fleeting years rolled on till they built a mighty Rome, 
With many a triumphal arch and many a towering dome, 
Whose conquering armies trod o'er every land and sea. 
To whom the Grecians bowed, and proud Carthage bent 

the knee ; 
Whose stern warriors bore her eagles on the wings of 

every breeze, 
And each patriot kept a dagger for whom his liberties 

would seize. 
Till years brought base corruption, that sapped her rich 

life's blood. 
And luxury, indolence and vandals swept o'er her like 

a flood. 



18 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

Her glory has departed, her tombs we now may see, 
Her Coliseum and her arches tell us what she used to be ; 
Yet, while her glory lasted, the fullness of years came, 
And the bright Star of Bethlehem appeared o'er the 

Eastern plain. 
Then methinks the years rejoiced, and gloried in the 

truth, 
That they had found the fountain that renewed them in 

their youth ; 
That they had brought to pass, as on their course they 

whirled. 
The command they had received from the foundations of 

world. 
And methinks if years had music, and could join in any 

lay. 
They would have joined in sweet accord with angels on 

that day. 
From then till now they've numbered, as on their course 

they flew, 
Man's golden opportunities to do what he ought to do — 
To accept of proffered mercy and a Savior's boundless 

love, 
And prepare for happy entrance into mansions built 

above. 
The circling years rolled on, with their changes to all men, 
And saw that mighty empire fiercely rended into ten. 
That mostly yet remain, though many changes have been 

wrought — 
Many ambitious kings arisen — many conquering battles 

fought. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 19 

Brought the light of Reformation, when it rose amid the 

gloom 
That wrapped the Middle Ages with the darkness of the 

tomb; 
, Saw priestcraft and superstition, as they paled before the 

Ught 
Of the Gospel truth when opened to the people's anxious 

sight. 
Thou didst view this Western Continent ere on it the 

white man trod, 
Ere an ax had felled its forests or a plow had turned its 

sod; 
Saw its dusky warriors hunting or charging o'er the plain, 
And when the conflict ended scalp the dying and the 

slain ; 
Saw them by their camp-fires sitting, or in the fierce war 

dance ; 
Saw the dusky lover courting, saw the maiden's tender 

glance ; 
Saw them count thy fleeting footsteps by the changes of 

the moon, 
By the shedding of the forests that mantle again so soon. 
Five thousand years did number, as peaceful this conti- 
nent did sleep 
Within her cliff-bound coasts, rocked by two oceans deep, 
Unknowing and unknown alike to cultivated man, 
And to the charms of peaceful art, and to the plowman's 

hand. 
Now, my youthful friends, look around you, you whose 

duty 'tis to explore 



20 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

The ocean of boundless thought, and seek the gems of 

hidden lore, 
Tell me what changes have been wrought since the white 

man trod this land — 
Since he reared his little cabin and tried his valiant hand. 
The circHng years rolled on and showed his conquering 

power, 
And saw a mighty nation rise like some majestic tower ; 
Then burst the flame of war from stern patriot's burning 

fire. 
Who scorned the vassal's part, and defied old England's 

ire. 
Yes, the fleeting years rolled on, almost long, dreary 

eight, 
Ere the contest was decided, ere the patriot knew his 

fate ; 
But those patriots, nothing daunted, did time and might 

defy. 
And resolved each year more firmly to conquer or to die ; 
Led by the noble Washington, that name we all revere. 
Even now it starts the sluggish blood that noble name to 

hear — 
The brightest, purest, richest gem this nation ever wore ; 
It far outshmes the choicest gem of any foreign shore — 
Led by this noble patriot they their freedom nobly won, 
And formed the noblest government that ever basked 

beneath the sun. 
The circling years rolled on, and with gigantic stride 
This nation reared aloft her head and towered in her 

pride. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 21 

Her large and rapid growth the wondering nations viewed, 
Yet none there was who dared to tame her fiery mood. 
Here art and science flourished, and many cities rose ; 
How fast the States were multipHed each thoughtless 

schoolboy knows. 
Now where once the Indian trod in his untutored way 
Knowledge reveals her hidden store, and Gospel lends her 

ray. 
Perhaps some painted chieftain has harangued his warrior 

bands 
Where now our Alma Mater in her stately beauty stands — 
Where once the Indian galloped upon his fleetest steed 
The iron horse now plunges and electric fluids speed; 
The Indian's light canoe once did o'er our waters glide 
Where now our mighty steamboats majestically ride. 
The fleeting years rolled on and wrought this mighty 

change. 
And brought to light new things that seemed most 

passing strange. 
Thou hast brought us years of wealth, with very little wo. 
And of great peace and quiet, except the latter four. 
Here my weeping muse would pause to drop a glistening 

tear, 
For sounds of blood and carnage are wafted to her ear. 
Hark ! she heard yon distant firing, the canon's open- 
ing roar, 
■ And saw two mighty armies wade through fratricidal gore ; 
Saw brother slaying brother, beneath a leaden tide. 
And how the life-blood ebbed away from many a 
wounded side : 



22 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

Heard the groans of many dying; saw the pale and 

ghastly dead; 
Saw mustering squadrons trampling, heard the thunder 

of their tread ; 
Saw many furious charges, heard the balls and grapeshot 

crash ; 
Saw glistening" bayonets gleaming, the opening canon's 

livid flash ; 
Saw men from fury and madness — demons seeming — 
Heard their bitter curses; saw their glaring eyeballs 

gleaming ; 
Saw the sun in splendor rise o'er many a lovely plain, 
That, ere his parting rays had fled, was scattered o'er with 

slain ; 
Saw the pale, soft moon rise up, and how sadly she 

looked down 
On heaps of wounded, dead and dying that thick be- 
strewed the ground. 
Return, my wandering muse, and tell me what's the 

meaning ? 
Is this the mighty people on whom my hopes are leaning ? 
What furious hate displayed, what madness rules the 

hour ? 
Say, fleeting years, is this your conquering power. 
Is this your mighty tread, is this the change you've 

wrought — 
That children Join in bloody fray where once united 

fathers fought ? 
Is this the mighty nation that boasted in her pride 
That religion and morality at her chariot wheel did ride ? 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 23 

But methinks the years say, Stop ! 'Twas not my power 

alone 
That wrought this mighty change, disfigured this lofty 

dome. 
I brought along in my train corruption in place and 

power, 
And saw her urge to mortal strife in many an evil hour. 
And the lesson I oft have told, I'll tel] to you to-day. 
That 'tis base corruption hastes proud nations to decay : 
For now to wealth, and place, and power, the public spirit 

tends ; 
In wealth, and place, and power, the public spirit ends. 
Here corruption raised her head and sapped the nation's 

life, 
Arid brought this mortal wo and all this bloody strife. 
The years have still rolled on, and numbered dreary four. 
Yet still the bloody conflicts rage more fiercely than be- 
fore ; 
Still the widows' tears are falling; still the orphans' 

groans are heard. 
As touching to the patriot's heart as where warm life's 

blood curd ; 
Still our youths for conflicts parting bid their friends a 

sad adieu. 
And in firm, but touching accents, bid their sweethearts 

to be true. 
*0 justice! throned on high, is this the wisdom you 

unfold, 

*For the four following lines I received fifteen black marks frona 
the Professors of the University for disloyal sentiments. The word 
" rob" refers to the unconstitutional acts of the war, which, in the 



24 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

That half a nation by force of arms the other half should 

hold- 
That freemen should to freemen bow, and kiss the 

uplifted hand 
That's raised to rob them of their rights, their chattels, 

and their land ? 
Shall theft and arson belt the South, and noble lives be 

hurled 
In self-defense against the tattered paupers of Europe 

and the world ? 
Shall hell-born extermination raise aloft her bloody hand 
Till she finds no noble victims in the erring sunny land ? 

bloody war! O cruel strife! O wretched Christian 

land! 
Is there no better, nobler way, to bind in loving band ? 

1 would that love and friendship ruled, and unison pre- 

vailed. 
And we had ne'er disunion heard, nor naught of war 

bewailed. 
Ye fleeting years, roll on ; I fear my hopes are vain — 
Those bright and burning hopes that long within my 

heart have lain. 
I hoped my country's fame would spread from pole to 

pole, 
Till time should be no more, till years should cease to roll. 
May this cruel war be over soon, may welcome peace 

return again, 

opinion of the writer, lengthened and aggravated, instead of short- 
ening it. " Theft " and " arson " refer to the wreckless plunder- 
ing and burning of Southern homes. " Tattered paupers " refer to 
the immoderate haste of enlisting in the army the poor emigrants of 
every country, and the colored troops. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 25 

And no more our eyes be moistened with tear-drops for 

the slain; 
May our land be still united, and may it ever be 
The land of love and friendship, the home of liberty. 
Rich blessings to our nation may years unnumbered bring, 
And time pass by with gentle flight and peace upon her 

wing; 
May plenty soon her hands extend from ocean's shore 

to shore, 
And quiet, love and friendship reign as never reigned 

before ; 
And may religion's brightest beams with glorious lustre 

shine, 
And Christian hearts where'er they meet in love and 

friendship twine. 
Ye circling years, roll on, and do your bidding well, 
And what within your track doth lie no living man can 

tell. 
Yet this we know, the great I Am shall curb your power, 
And bring to pass whate'er He will in any day or hour. 
Thou shalt see the joys and woes of nations yet unborn, 
And nothing 'neath the sun thy conquering power shall 

scorn. 
The great, far-reaching future is all within thy hand ; 
Thou canst blast a thousand hopes like wrecks upon the 

sand; 
Thou canst build up mighty nations, and can rudely pull 

them down ; 
Thou canst dim the monarch's jewels, rust his sceptre 

and his crown ; 

2 



26 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

Thou canst waste the wealth of fortune, bring to poverty 

the proud, 
Lay the great within their coffin, fold fair beauty in her 

shroud ; 
Thou shalt know if our loved country, bright and pros- 
perously begun. 
Shall continue to go onward with the process of the sun ; 
Or, if in the coming future, swept by passion, vice and 

pride. 
Hopeless, wreckless and dissevered, it shall sink beneath 

the tide; 
Whether science, truth and learning, crushed beneath a 

barbarous tread. 
Shall go out amid the darkness in the ages far ahead ; 
Or, glowing fair and beauteous beneath bright future 

skies. 
Shall peer above the heavens, and with fadeless grandeur 

rise ; 
Whether light and knowledge, spreading, shall fill the 

earth around. 
And the dark, benighted places with radiance bright 

abound ; 
Whether vice and superstition, with pagan worship, soon 

shall cease, 
And the world be blessed with wisdom, true religion and 

sweet peace. 
Thou shalt know if in the future, bright and glowing 

though it seem, 
I shall see the bow of pleasure ever span life's turbid 

stream ; 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 27 

Whether fortune smile or frown, and my barque be tem- 
pest-driven, 
Or peaceful sail the stormy seas, and reach a blissful 

haven. 
Thou shalt bring millennial day, with all its bliss and joy, 
Its pleasures and its happiness almost without alloy. 
Thou art the peer of earth, and shall see it flee away 
Before the face of Him who brings the awful Judgment 

Day; 
Thou shalt see the great white throne, and the heavenly 

armies bright — 
View the sea give up its dead, and the buried rise to 

sight ; 
And the sleeping hosts of ages, in this sepulchre so vast, 
In a mighty surging stream before the solemn Judge shall 

pass. 
Then the years shall all be numbered, and their secrets 

shall unroll, 
And be read unto the millions as the ancients read a 

scroll ; 
And the congregated nations of every age and clime, 
That have rose and fell like billows on the stormy sea of 

time. 
From the dim and distant ages, far back in the early 

dawn. 
From the rude and simple nations to the millions recent 

born, 
With the patriarchs and prophets, with the noble, weak 

and strong. 
In a surging sea of faces, shall be gathered in that throng, 



28 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

And, with pale, uplifted faces, hear what all the years 

reveal, 
And for their good or evil deeds be judged without 

appeal. 
Then the final consummation — time and years shall pass 

away, 
Into the ocean of eternity, into God's eternal day. 
Then time-worn earth shall melt with strong and fervent 

heat. 
And no more upon its bosom feel the million heart-throbs 

beat. 
No more a grass-green sepulchre, no more earth's gaudy 

scene. 
No more gay tinseled tapestry, death's sombre walls to 

screen ; 
No more a stormy ocean, no more dark tempests rage; 
No more the thousand ills of life, no pangs of grief to 

suage ; 
No weary hands to toil, no human hearts to burn. 
With all the whfelming tide of woe, and joys for which 

we yearn ] 
No more bright, joyous scenes that cheered a dreary 

earth ; 
No more sweet childhood's dreams, no more a happy 

hearth ; 
No more love's blissful throb at beauty's blushing cheek; 
No more the lover's vow ; no more the passions speak ; 
No more the angry tongue ; no more the drunkard then 
Can quaff the flowing bowl, and fill it up again ; 
No more the wicked goad; no more the righteous fear; 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 29 

No more the eye can weep or shed, a bitter tear ; 

No more the earth and man, as we behold them now — 

Eternity shall work a change, we know not what, nor 

how. 
The righteous then shall have a home of bliss and peace 

above ; 
The wicked they shall gnash their teeth, nor hope for 

paraoning love. 
This earth may then be changed to a heavenly mansion 

bright ; 
The sun and stars may pale and wane before a brighter 

light. 
No seasons then shall come and go, and there shall be 

no night. 
But one eternal summer bloom, nor ages dim the sight; 
And, there in ceaseless bliss and joy, while endless ages 

glide. 
The souls of those who toiled in years shall tread the 

heavenly fields untried; 
And though the sun expire with age, and million worlds 

be crushed, 
Souls born in time shall live in bliss, or sink in depths of 

darkness hushed. 
And what the fleeting years have done, and what they'll 

yet unroll, 
Man's finite mind can ne'er foresee — eternity shall unfold. 
Then, circling years, ye can but roll, no hand can stay 

your flight ; 
But that which bid you onward speed, that hand can stay 

your might, 



30 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

And whelm you in that shoreless tide, that ocean deep 

and all untried, 
That soon can quench your wreckless pride, like sparks 

are quenched in ocean's tide. 
Till then, relentless as the grave, remorseless years shall 

roll 
Upon the burning track of time toward their final goal. 
The eagle proud, with fearless wing, that cleaves the 

azure dome, 
And bathes his plumage in the clouds amid the thunder's 

home. 
That braves the storm and hurricane, pressing onward to 

the sun, 
Must rest upon some mountain crag before the day is 

done. 
The timid deer, the fleet gazelle, that, startled, flee with 

swiftest speed ; 
The agile hounds that eager chase, for rest soon feel the 

urgent need. 
But time for naught shall stop, nor years shall pause to rest, 
They weary not, nor seek to fold their pinions on their 

breast ; 
They feel no jaded, anxious wish to see their journey 

close ; 
They pause not for the shades of night, nor sigh for sweet 

repose. 
Stern and unbending, on their course they roll with cease- 
less haste. 
Whether earth blossom as the rose or shrink to barren 

waste ; 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 31 

Regardless whether cities rise or crumble to decay ; 

Or earthquakes heave their solid base, and 'gulf them in 

a day; 
Volcanoes flame, or mountains shake, or land be swal- 
lowed by the sea. 
Or islands rise in ocean deep, or shackles bind the brave 

and free, 
Or nations rise and gather strength of centunes in a day ; 
Sweep down like mountain avalanche, and startled 

nations slay. 
They never pause to muse upon the crumbling wrecks 

they've wrought, 
Like children gaze on broken toys or victors over battles 

fought ; 
But onward sweep, with tireless speed, nor wreck they in 

their course 
What hopes they blast, what nations fall, beneath their 

conquering force. 
And now, my youthful friends, a word to you I'd say, 
Improve each vacant hour, and each returning day. 
Remember fleeting years roll on, and number scarce 

three score 
Ere man's duty must be done, or his working days are 

o'er. 
Store well your youthful minds with knowledge while you 

may, 
'Twill guide your faltering footsteps, and cheer your 

dreary way ; 
And should earth's joys please thee, waste not the hours 
ot youth 



32 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

In seeking giddy pleasures, but seek the gems of truth. 
Seek knowledge from the living fount, read in your 

Bibles oft, 
'Twill teach you all life's duties well, and point your 

hearts aloft. 
This opening year has found you now within youth's 

mantling blush; 
A few short years will find you thick amid life's bustling 

rush. 
Now is the time your minds to store with pearls of 

precious thought, 
And fill them with the love of truth and all that wisdom's 

taught : 
For when a few more years have carved their furrows on 

your brow. 
You will not have the time to spare amid life's cares as now. 
May you each your strength and will unite, and seek to 

know the way 
That leads to everlasting life and realms of endless day ; 
May your years glide smooth and peaceful until they all 

are o'er, 
And end at last in joyous bliss upon the golden shore. 
And as eternal ages roll may million worlds be trod 
By your cloudless spirits as they sweep o'er the universe 

of God. 
Now, to the year just past I'll bid a fond and sad adieu. 
Alas ! how soon its pleasures fled, how quick its foot- 
steps flew ! 
Farewell to its joys and sorrows, farewell to the friends I 

knew, 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 33 

Whose feet now tread in other lands, and other faces 

view ! 
It has gone — forever gone — Hke a bright and golden 

dream, 
Like a ship rich freighted, it has passed adown time's 

restless stream ; 
It laid its hand on the strong, and the haughty form lies 

low ; 
It trod the halls of revelry, and its mirth was changed to 

woe; 
It stalked o'er the field of carnage, and the gory plain 

grew red. 
And the grass and flowers sprang fresh and green above 

the mouldering dead; 
It touched the bloom on beauty's cheek, and it changed 

to pallid hue ; 
As it passed, the trees and flowers bloomed and faded as 

they grew ; 
It stilled the lips of childhood's glee that strayed among 

the flowers. 
And nipped the foliage bright and green that shaded 

lovely bowers ; 
It came with glowing prospects, with hope-throbs beating 

high, 
To many a vigorous form that now in gloomy graveyards 

lie; 
It came with the flush of pride, like a conqueror marching 

by; 
It has gone like a gleam of light, like the breath of a 

passing sigh, 



34 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

Like a summer cloud at morn that fades at the rising sun, 
Like a mist at dewy eve that melts ere the night is half 

begun. 
Yet, ere it vanished in its flight, to the dim, eternal past. 
It heralded millions to their home, to the sleep that long 

shall last. 
Kind greeting to the bright New Year just entering on 

the race, 
And may she much of pleasure bring and give us much 

good grace ; 
May solid joys continuous press along the path she'll 

run, 
And may she close 'mid brighter hopes than now she has 

begun ; 
May peace and science rule the land, and brethren cease 

from strife. 
And with an earnest heart and hand men seek a nobler 

life, 
And may our hves be long, and may our land be blest, 
And o'er the world our motto shme, " Sciencia regina 

mundi est." 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 35 

REFLECTIONS ON A SPRING MORNING. 



When I rise from my slumbers, refreshing and sweet, 

And pass from my chamber, revived nature to greet, 

My feelings are touched at her beauties refined, 

And the question instinctively comes to my mind: 

O, who can imagine a more glorious thing 

Than the splendor of morning in the freshness of Spring ? 

I love to behold the dawning of day. 

To see the black darkness all vanish away, 

And light stealing beautifully over the earth. 

And waking creation as to a new birth ; 

And my heart with emotion does turn to that Light, 

Who, 'mid the darkness of earth can dispel every night. 

And to gaze on the sun in his splendor unfold. 
And see the light clouds through azure seas rolled. 
And hear the sweet carols of birds 'mong the trees, 
And catch the fresh coolness that's borne on the breeze. 
And my spirits elastic with ardor doth arise. 
And seek with the lark to mount to the skies. 

And I am reminded that the morning of life 
Is the time to sow seed and prepare for its strife ; 
To treasure up knowledge, and good habits to form — 
In the calm of our life to prepare for its storm ; 
For youth, like this morning, will soon pass away, 
And bring us too soon to the heat of the day. 



36 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

As I see the green earth in its freshness arrayed, 
With the buds on the trees, and the dew on the blade, 
And know a few short months have scarcely passed by 
Since trees were dismantled, earth barren and dry. 
Be encouraged, my mind, and be strengthened, my heart, 
Amid earth's trials and conflicts to act well thy part. 



TO A FRIEND ON THE DEATH OF HIS 
MOTHER. 



Weep not for her, my youthful friend, 
Who sleeps beneath the sod; 

Her life will long its lustre lend. 
To point thee where she trod. 

She sleeps the long, the dreamless sleep, 
That soon must come to all, 

Who now doth sail upon the deep, 
Or tread this earthly ball. 

She was a mother kind and true. 

Like none but mothers are. 
And every griet that childhood knew. 

Her smiles have banished far. 

She saw thee when the light of earth 

Did first thy vision greet, 
And smiled upon thee in thy mirth. 

And trained thy stumbling feet. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 37 

She saw thy young eye sparkle bright, 

When some new vision passed 
Across thy young mind's dawning light, 

And there its impress cast. 

Yes, gentle, tender pains she took 

To train thy budding mind, 
And smiled upon thee with a look 

So gentle and so kind. 

She was to thee, in childhood's hour, 

A stay and comfort sure, 
And thou didst feel a mother's power. 

How strong, how deep, how pure. 

A mother's look, what charms impart ; 

Her smile gives pure delight. 
And sheds its sunshine o'er the heart, 

Like rays of morning light. 

That she is dead 'tis sad to think, 

And worse to feel 'tis so. 
That thou this bitter cup must drink, 

And taste its dregs of wo. 

But such is life, uncertain life — 

'Tis like a fleeting dream ; 
It bears us on awhile in strife. 

Then sinks beneath the stream. 



38 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

Thy mother useful Hved, and long, 
And well her course did run, • 

And now she's numbered with the throng 
Of whom 'tis said " Well done," 

Blessed are they whose names are found 

Within the book of life ; 
Thrice blessed, for they're free from sound 

Of toil, or wo, or strife. 

Seek then to meet her in that land 

Where parting is no more, 
And press again her angel hand, 

When all life's griefs are o'er. 



LAST WORDS OF STONEWALL JACKSON. 



"Let us go across the river and rest beneath the shade of the trees." 
Said the good and valiant chieftain, when his battles all 

were o'er. 
And his wounded form was lying near the Rappahannock 

shore. 
When his body, racked with anguish, and his soft eye 

glanced around 
At his sad and sorrowing comrades, and the dark and 

bloody ground, 
When his pulse beat low and feeble, and his vision 

seemed to fade, 
" Let us go across the river and rest beneath the shade." 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 39 

O the beauty and the pathos of that sad yet soothing 

thought, 
Coming at the end ot labors, at the close of battles 

fought ! 
Did it cheer the dying soldier, did it light his weary eye, 
To behold the bow of promise and the river flowing nigh ? 
Not the rolHng Rappahannock, but death's dark and 

narrow stream, 
And the trees of life beyond it, far beyond life's fitful 

dream. 

He was a Christian soldier brave, with a firm, unfaltering 

trust, 
That the sword he held, and cause espoused, was noble, 

true and just. 
No warrior stern of antique mold, with fierce eye flashing 

keen. 
His look was mild as women's are, and gentle was his 

mien ; 
Yet, terrible as a thunder- bolt, he rode the battle's crest, 
And carnage strewed the vanquished field where'er his 

cohorts pressed. 

No warrior clad in glittering steel e'er raised an arm of 
might, 

And struck more quick and stunning blows amid a 
bloody fight ; 

No eagle eye more quickly saw the point to make a 
breach, 

And startled foemen felt his hand ere they thought them- 
selves in reach. 



40 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

He fought not for fame or love of strife, for war and 

strife he did deplore; 
He struck because he thought he saw invading foemen 

at his door. 

Then cherish his noble memory, though sad his fate to 

tell, 
For he sleeps beneath his native shade in the land he 

loved so well. 
Though dead his memory liveth, as chieftain noble, brave 

and good ; 
What he deemed was right, he upheld in fight, and like 

solid stone wall stood ; 
But his spirit has crossed beyond the dark and shadowy 

shore — 
Beyond the sun, in the light of God ; he needs the shade 

no more. 

Let us imitate this chieftain, of a hundred battles fought, 
And with fiirmness, faith and courage, fight our battles as 

we ought; 
And when pain and death o'ertake us, and life's stream is 

ebbing low. 
And we see the purple twilight, and dark shadows come 

and go, 
Let us trust with hope and joy, as life's visions slowly 

fade. 
That we only cross the river to rest beneath the shade. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 41 

OUR LOVED AND LOST. 



Is there no bright, unfading dime, 

Beyond this world of severed ties, 
To fill the wants that mock in time, 

And dry the tears from sorrow's eyes ? 
Where blast of winter never blows, 

And endless spring brings deathless flowers ; 
Where we may see the face of those 

Who loved us in this world of ours ? 

Is there no pure, immortal sphere 

Beyond this realm of fleeting time. 
Where hopes and fears that mock us here 

Will blossom into bhss subhme ? 
Where ceaseless joys on angel's wing. 

With golden harps shall chase the hours, 
And we shall hear the dear ones sing 

Who loved us in this world of ours. 

The summers bloom, the autumns fade. 

And winters blow along our way, 
And 'mid earth's changing light and shade 

Are memories of those passed away. 
They come amid our griefs and pain. 

Like songs we've heard in days gone by, 
Whose murmurs, like the distant main, 

Grow loudest when the storms are nigh. 
3 



42 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

Bright laurels fade and honors rust, 

And oft our barque is tempest-tossed, 
And willows wave above the dust 

Of those whom we have loved and lost. 
Yet, in our bright and saddest dream, 

Their silent forms we often see. 
Like shadows floating o'er time's stream. 

Cast from the vast eternity. 

The flowers of springtime in their turn 

Bloom in fresh beauty o'er the lea, 
And brightest stars that set, return. 

And view their faces in the sea. 
Beyond the sunset and the night. 

Where pain and sorrow has no power. 
Our loved and lost shall greet our sight 

When we close life's transient hour. 

There is a fair, perennial world. 

Where hopes and joys that mocked us here 
Will lift their banners high unfurled 

To music of that blissful sphere. 
And there our souls with rapture greet, 

'Mid anthems of bright rolling hours. 
With folded wings in converse sweet. 

Those we loved in this world of ours. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 43 

TO ETTIE,THE ROSEBUD OE THE HILLSIDE. 



I know where lives a pretty maid 

Upon a sunny hillside, 
Where summer flowers latest fade, 

And soft zephyrs gently glide. 
She is as fair as any flower. 

As pretty as a lily, 
Bending from a lovely bower, 

Looking down upon a valley ; 
She is in her youthful pride ; 

She is young, and gay, and pretty, 

And her name is charming Ettie, 
The rosebud of the hillside. 

And I never saw a maiden 

With a form more lithe and free. 

Nor till in the distant Eden 
Do I e'er expect to see 

A maid more gay and lively, 
With an eye more softly blue. 

And a ringing laugh more lightly, 
Or cheeks of richer hue. 

Than those of our blooming pride. 
The young, the gay, the pretty. 
With the lovely name of Ettie, 

The rosebud of the hillsi(|e. 

Yes, she is a fair young blossom 
That is blooming on the hill. 



44 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

Her young heart with joy so fulsome 
That 'twould make your being thrill. 

She is very gay and sprightly, 
And she looks so trim and neat, 

And she trips along so lightly. 

And bows and smiles to those she greet. 

Then search the world so wide, 

You'll find none more fair and pretty. 
With more lovely name than Ettie, 

The rosebud of the hillside. 



In the summer should you meet her, 
As she trips along the street. 

And should gently bow and greet her. 
As upon the walk you meet, 

I'm sure you never would forget 
Her smile so gay and sweet. 

But say you never fair one met 
That made your heart so beat. 

Like the sunHght spreading wide. 
From face so tair and pretty, 
As that of sweet and smiling Ettie, 

The rosebud of the hillside. 

But thy time is passing, Ettie, 

" Stamp improvement on its wings," 

For the flowers that bloom so pretty 
That the summer gently brings, 

Soon do perish, soon are faded. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 45 

And the fairest forms of earth 
Death's hand ofttimes unaided 

Blasts amid their bloom and mirth. 
Then, whate'er may thee betide, 

Be thou good, and wise, and pretty, 

Yoiing, light-hearted, charming Ettie, 
The rosebud of the hillside. 

May thy days be bright and sunny, 

May joys thy heart e'er tune, 
May thy charms mature as bonny 

As the flowers that bloom in June ; 
May thy life be long and useful, 

Growing better with thy years, 
Till thou bloom on hillsides peaceful 

In that realm where drops no tears. 
Far beyond time's rolling tide. 

Be an angel, pure and pretty. 

Bloom with life immortal, Ettie, 
A rose on Eden's hillside. 




46 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

ETTIE, THE ROSEBUD, HAS PERISHED. 



Ettie's dead; she has faded 

Like a flower in its bloom — 
Death's cruel hand unaided 

Has laid her in the tomb. 
In her bright and smiling beauty, 

Fair and fragile as a lily, 
With her winning ways so lovely, 

Shedding fragrance o'er the valley, 
She has passed from 'neath the sunlight 

To a narrow chamber lonely. 
Darker than the gloom of midnight. 

Yes, our gay and charming pride, 
With her face so fair and pretty. 
With the lovely name of Ettie, 

Has vanished from the hillside. 

I met her in the summer, 

Not many months ago, 
When the leaves did sigh and murmur. 

And the zephyrs gently blow. 
She asked me, with a sunny smile 

And cheery voice so gay. 
If I would write upon her name 

A pretty little lay. 
Said I, " with pleasure, charming Ettie, 

If you'll allow a kiss for pay, 
I will gladly write upon your name so pretty." 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 47 

Then she bowed with charming pride 
And said : " If your piece is very pretty 
You may get a kiss from Ettie, 

The rosebud of the hillside." * 

I never wrote for money, 

I never thought of fame, 
But the glowing smile of beauty. 

Oft stirred poetic flame. 
I've sometimes loved to sing 

Like the wild bird on the bough, 
Just as I felt the sweUing song. 

And nature taught me how ; 
And as it sings where none can hear 

But the silent, sighing trees, 
I cared not if it touched the ear, 

Or died upon the breeze. 
But I felt with joy and pride 

'Twould be glorious pay, and pretty, 

To obtain a kiss from Ettie, 
The rosebud of the hillside. 

How short is Ufe, how very brief. 

Even when it slowly closes 
In the " sear and yellow leaf; " 

But, when fading like the roses, 
How deep and dark the grief. 

But, oh ! sad, indeed, to know, 
That, like a tender, fragile lily. 

Trying to bud, and bloom, and grow. 



48 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

She has drooped from ofif the valley, 
, And lies buried 'neath the snow. 

And it's so o'er all the world so wide ; 
No flower more fair and pretty- 
Bloomed with sweeter charm than Ettie, 

Yet she's faded from the hillside. 

They folded her soft, white hands 

Upon her snow white breast, 
Closed her laughing, bright blue eyes — 

Laid her in her cofiin to rest. 
Dead ! Do not speak the word so loud. 

Is the bright blooming blossom dead 
And folded in her shroud ? 

And will any think, when they tread 

In thoughtless gayety o'er her head, 
That she ever was gay and proud ? 

Alas ! in all this world so wide, 
O'er all the fair and pretty. 
As well as our charming Ettie, 

Death rolls his whelming tide. 

She flashed upon our shadowed path, 
Like a golden gleam of sunlight — 
Like a bright and beauteous star 
Glowing in the fields of midnight. 
But she's passed to the tearless realm. 
Where there's neither night nor gloom — 
Where there's fadeless beauty ever. 
And naught is laid within the tomb ; 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 49 

Where the tear-drop never gHstens, 
And the flowers ever bloom, 

Far beyond time's rolling tide, 
As an angel pure and pretty, 
Blooms with life immortal, Ettie, 

Now a rose on Eden's hillside. 



A DISTANT VIEW. 



Methought upon time's farthest verge, 

Within the range of countless worlds, 
I saw the ceaseless ages surge, 

And suns like mazy snowflakes whirled; 
And, standing on the farthest star 

That decks creation's realms so wide, 
I viewed the rolling earth afar 

In all its pomp of death and pride. 

I saw it spin through realms of space 

And circle fleetly round the sun, 
And changing seasons quickly chase 

Each other o'er the path she run. 
Dipped half in darkness, half in light, 

As whirling on her poles she flew, 
Till, lessening, as a bird in flight, 

She faded from my wistful view. 

" It was the vast Eternity," 

I, musing, said, and thought I knew. 



50 . POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

That drank her in its shoreless sea, 
As ocean drinks a drop of dew. 

Methought is this the solid earth 
On which I trod with joyous feet, 

And was it spoken into birth 
To fade with worlds my vision greet ? 

Is man the creature of an hour, 

An insect of a summer day, 
Decked with the gaudy show of power. 

And wrapped with pride that sinks to clay ? 
Is that his home, his life, his all, 

Where, with the bubbling toys of time, 
He feebly treads a crusted ball. 

Nor looks, nor soars to worlds subHme ? 

O man, with crouching spaniel heart ! 

With lust of wealth and bounded brain. 
Is there no high and noble art 

To heal the " world's immortal pain ? " 
When viewed from o'er the realms of space, 

Passion's candle dimmed, and on the shelf. 
How grovelling seems that noble race 

Smote by the " dark disease of self." 

Man's soul is like the rolling world. 
Dipped half in darkness, half in light, 

And each with maddening speed is whirled. 
To brightest day or darkest night. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 51 

One view has gladness and the cheering sun, 
The other, darkness and the sombre dream, 

And passion marks the course they run, 
And life is like a turbid stream. 

Strong passions lose their power to please, 

Joy, sickening, drops her sweetest charm y 
Nor balmy sleep the bosoms ease 

Where grief has showed its power to harm. 
Oblivion sweeps not o'er the past, 

And memory ofttimes has a sting. 
Affection's jewels will not last, 

And hope sometimes forgets to sing. 

" What, then, is earth, and what is man ?" 
I ask, in gloomy thought and pride. 

As on the viewless stars I stand, 

, And view the countless worlds so wide. 

Sure, it is but a meteor bright 

That shoots awhile through ether clear, 

And man upon it sinks from sight 
As earth drinks up a falling tear, 

A lofty scorn I dared to cast 

On human passions, hopes and fears. 
Because afar the world had past. 

I stood beyond the rolling years. 
But humbled is my gloomy pride ; 

With bended head I hide my grief. 
Nor seek to mock time's rolling tide, 

Nor scorn life's fleeting years so brief. 



52 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

Contentment is the home we need, 

With will to work and patient wait, 
And faith will give us wings of speed. 

And hope will sweeten cruel fate, 
And love will bring us golden bliss, 

And heal the bleeding wounds of earth ; 
And in a fairer world than this 

We'll bloom in bright and endless birth. 

A prisoner in earth's wintry waste, 

I'll find enough of fleeting breath 
To plume time's wing with gentle haste. 

Nor fear the hungry eyes of death, 
I'll think and soar on fearless wing 

While others grovel in the dust, 
And faith will tune the song I sing — 

In God and Heaven shall be my trust. 






OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 53 

SLEEP, DEATH AND OBLIVION. 



Sleep, that smooths the rugged brow of care. 

That fans us with the zephyrs from an angel's wing, 
That o'er the mind, with softness of the balmy air, 

Does her dark mantle of deep silence fling — 
That checks the heated flow of burning thought, 

And cools it with the waters from a mossy spring, 
Until it drinks the misty dimness that is brought, 

And fades into the twilight that its soothings bring — 
Sleep, that wraps the world in darkness dim and deep. 

Yet, all unseen, and felt alone in that we feel it not ; 
All else has something of a touch but balmy sleep, 

It steals our senses, and we know it not. 



We walk like spectres through its silent shades. 

Nor feel its spongy soil beneath our tread; 
But the closing daylight and the darkness fades. 

And by oblivion's fabled waters we are led. 
Yet oft we journey through its dreamy land. 

As though it were a world of motion and of light, 
And in its visions, joy and sorrow take our hand, 

As though our mind looked through the doors of sight. 
It is the soothing balm and solace of a restless world. 

Which else would roll m madness and despair. 
Men would pray for it, as for the sun if hurled 

From his bright chariot in the fields of air. 



54 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

This angel sleep, that brings us sweet repose, 

That blunts the edge of grief, and from heaven unfurled 
Lets down our loved ones, silent uprose, 

And led me down into its lower world. 
And lo ! I stood beside a silent creeping stream, 

That constant through a land of gloomy twilight stole ; 
Its sombre cliffs stood deep and dark in dream. 

The' stream slid on, nor did its drowsy waters roll, 
But glided smooth, unruffled as the flowing oil, 

And slipped 'twixt gloomy cliffs, with dismal crest, 
On which stood pines unvexed by breeze ; and on its soil 

The poppies droop — the winds were folded on its breast. 

" Is this oblivion's stream ? I asked of sleep, 

Are these the waters of the fabled Lethe ? 
And o'er whate'er they darkly sweep 

The past is lost and buried far beneath — 
Where sweet or sad forgetfulness is found. 

Where men who've searched in near and distant lands. 
And, after treading restless earth around, 

Have lifted here their pale, beseeching hands, 
And found forgetfulness? " But sleep silent stood, 

With eyes still closed, and then I asked again, 
" And why should men forget ? Is there some blood 

That cries from earth, like Abel's 'gainst a Cain ? 

Is Lethe the fabled fancy of a feverish brain. 
Invented, when the gory hand of cruel deeds 

Was shaken in man's face by victims slain — 

When remorse, like a vulture, on his memory feeds ? 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 



55 



But methought sure sleep gives peace and rest. 

And for a time forgetfulness. And then I look, 
And lo ! the earth was lying in her breast, 

As a sick, moaning child whom peace and rest forsook. 
Have men drank poison, and can sleep no more ? 

Is it the restless longings of the soul, or cares of life, 
The sting of conscience, or proud thoughts that soar ? 

Must man e'en in his dreams mix in hot strife ? 

Then, where's forgetfulness ? " with anxious heart 

Again I asked, that I may bring it to the upper earth ; 
That it may still life's pangs, and soothe pain's smart; 

That men may dwell in peace, with quiet mirth, 
When lo ! I saw, but just beyond, a stream. 

Whose dark and chilly gloom did make me start. 
'Twas • deep and narrow, and o'er it light nor shadows 
gleam. 

So dark the gloom ; and cold, as if it came from heart 
Of more than thousand icebergs. I knew 'twas death. 

I saw the grim, wan ferryman, with his shadow boat. 
Like spectres gHde, freighted with mortal's breath — 

With silent oars and deathly stillness did it float. 

Methought, here man is your obUvion of life. 

This narrow stream will wipe out all your fears. 
Your loves and joys and dark and restless strife. 

Here you'll forget earth's pains, and toils, and tears. 
Methinks I've learned this m sleep's shadowy deep, 

These silent streams are not so far apart, 



56 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

And death may have its dreams Hke sleep. 

Sleep stills the mind, death stills the heart — 
They are twin brothers. One, lasts in time ; 

The other, we know not how long it lasts ; 
But each locks up our senses in an unknown clime — 

The one builds up the body that the other blasts. 

Sleep, death and oblivion, are things that mock ; 

Sleep, in dreams ; death and oblivion, in the grave ; 
And yet we are not mocked. We only walk 

Amid realities that bind us like a slave. 
Sleep soothes and cheers ; death grimly reaps and slays. 

It makes earth but a tomb — its house of revelry ; 
It stalks amid life's dark and brightest ways 

And takes its victims. All are 'neath its slavery. 
With chilling frosts it nips life's brightest flowers, 

And with pale faces and a gasp they go, 
And vaguely trust to bloom 'neath other bowers, 

Where death's grim hand will never blast them so. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 57 

MIND. 

Hail, invisible spirit ! immortal essence of Divinity, 

Creative breath that breathed upon cold, sluggish clay, 
And every atom felt the warm and thrilling touch of in- 
ward Deity — 

A central, a]l-pervading presence, a bright and glow- 
ing ray 
Of heaven-sent light, and hope, and joy, and swelling life. 

That thrills and trembles through its conscious being. 
Like the tremulous silver of the sea in gentle strife 

That waves and sparkles in the sun and breeze. 

God breathed on clay, and man became a living soul. 

'Tis God in man — a spark struck from omniscient life, 
That, radiating from its central source, does warm the 
whole, 
And give new touch and teeling to unconscious dust ; 
To the dull habiliments that wrap its viewless form, 

And down receding time does hold its life and power, 
Its essence fadeless, and its being indestructible as the 
breath 
Of Deity that gave it birth, and smiled upon its natal 
hour. 



Incomprehensible, yet comprehending more than aught 
besides ; 
Viewless as the shifting air, yet viewing things visible 
and unseen; 
4 



58 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

Swayed by volitions that surge through all its depths 
like tides ; 
Whispering intuitions, feeling thoughts, and weighing 
what they mean. 
Like Deity, a viewless eternal spirit, yQt not like it unborn 
And uncreated. Thou wast created by the Uncreated,^ 
And wrapt in finite dust — mortal in all through which 
thou manifests thyself, 
Yet feeling an inborn power, an endless birth, pro- 
gressive and imperishable. 

That spark once struck from Deity — breathed from His 
breath — 
That made one living man, divisible, yet unimpaired. 
Has thrown off other sparks of vitalizing breath. 

Until that uncreated creating breath has brought forth 
millions, 
Peopled nations, and the realm of spirits beyond the 
stream of death. 
God made but two ; it was enough to people endless 
worlds , . 

Ne'er trod by living feet, or swept by wing of soaring 
spirits. 
Through all the cycles of immeasurable duration as 
they ceaseless whirl. 

The casket of decay that wraps this fadeless gem, 

Like solid substance all, does perish with the use. 
And weighs this essence down, like monarch's head is 
bowed by diadem ; 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 59 

And shackles it like slave condemned to toil beneath 
a heavy chain, 
So that it can not soar to whence it came, and soon 

Must go to viewless realms where spirits reign. 
Yet warm and glowing, as the sun at noon, 

It makes this casket thrill with intense joy or pain. 

And from its living centre wildly sweep 

Bright burning thoughts, sensations soft or sharp. 
That tremble on the nerves with feeling deep. 

Until they quiver at its touch, like strings upon a harp, 
And sweet or saddest music swells through all the cham- 
bers 

Of this wondrous mechanism of creative power, 
And wears it till it can not hold its panting prisoner, 

Then takes its flight and leaves it as a ruined tower. 

Crumbling and time-worn to fall and moulder to decay, 

Lone and silent, deserted by its lordly guest, 
That once upon a checkered summer day 

Did tread its joyous halls, then with strength and 
beauty blest. 
The link once broken, or severed by time's rust. 

That binds the immortal to its ** mortal coil," 
That strange, connecting link between mind and dust, 

No hand can forge again the brittle link by science, art 
or toil. 

Though clothed upon, and shackled down, yet still 
It soars through all the doors of thQught and sense. 



60 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

And sees, and hears, and action does its dwelling fill ; 

It sweeps far out into the realm of other worlds ; 
It looks on matter with a calculating eye ; 

It weighs it — treads amid the stars that glitter as they 
whirl — 
Measures the all-dazzling sun that sweeps above the 

vaulted sky, 
With all its retinue of worlds that circle round it as they fly. 

It tracks the comet as it shoots upon its burning course; 
It sails through space upon the wings of air, and by a 
tireless force — 
A magic sweep of fancy's touch it views bright scenes 
far o'er the deep. 
By subtle power it traces matter to its elemental source. 
Nor knows its bounds, but seeks o'er all the universe and 
time to leap. 
Like its father spirit it moves on chaos, and it turns to 
light; 
It smiles upon the world, and life and joy like flowers 
spring up. 
And matter feels its subtle essence, and morning dawns 
above the night. 

'Tis part of Deity, and as immortal as its creative God. 

Death is but a shadow across its path of destiny. 
To the soul there is no grave ; the tomb can not grasp 
its viewless form ; 

Earth is but its birth-place — the cradle of its infancy — 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 61 

Where it drops its cumbrous wrappings for the wings of 
immortality. 
Time, the vestibule of eternity, is where it points its 
course, and takes its leap 
Into the vast unknown, toward the Infinite and Eternal, 
and sweeps 
Out upon its endless progression in knowledge and 
perfection through immensity of worlds. 

This thing invisible is greater than the visible, the unseen 
than the seen; 
You cannot nail it to the cross, or puncture it with a 
spear. 
It can soar untrammeled, where matter ne'er has. been. 
Once created, ne'er uncreated, in time, eternity, far or 
near; 
It must exist. The creative will that kindled it to birth 
Can ne'er blast its glowing life, nor quench it in the 
ocean of His wrath ; 
The distant stars may fall, and nations perish from the 
earth ; 
Worlds upon worlds may vanish from their glowing 
path ; 

Man may sink to dust, and all the living moulder in the 

tomb ; 
Time and eternity may perish in their onward flight ; 
Earth may melt, the sun may crumble into specks of 

gloom. 



62 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

And darkness wrap the universe in chaos, death and 
night; 
Yet the thinking part, the soul eternal, the quenchless 
mind. 
Shall live in endless life, undimmed by age and death, 
And in the far-reaching, ceaseless ages still shall find 
It has a self-existent, deathless life beyond time's fleet- 
ing breath. 



WE MEET TO PART AGAIN. 



As we journey on in the path of life. 
Through its years of toil and fields of strife. 
There are those we meet in this journey long. 
Whom we greet as friends with affection strong ; 
But oft does the hour of parting draw near, 
When we bid them adieu, with regret and a tear. 

'Tis thus in this world .of parting and pain. 

We meet but to part in sorrow again ; 

When eyes have learned with affection to view. 

And hearts to entwine in friendship true. 

And fondly each other's presence to cherish, 

'Tis then that our hopes and our idol doth perish. 

They go away to some far distant land. 
For love of travel, or golden sand. 
And are hurried afar, with rapid speed. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 63 

By the mighty ship, or the iron steed, 
Or borne sadly along, with muffled tread. 
To the city where lie the sleeping dead. 

Ah ! yes, we scarce, 'mid the hurry and strife 
Of this bustling world and its active life, 
Have time to grasp, with a friendly hand, 
The good, the true and the tried, that stand 
By our lonely side, 'mid sunshine and shade, 
Ere we see the clods o'er their bosoms laid. 

We have scarcely met and gazed awhile 
On some fair one's face, with its gentle smile, 
Learned her noble heart, and the soul that beams 
From her soft bright eyes, pure as angels' -dreams, 
Ere this shifting life, with its restless mien. 
Has brought us again to the parting scene. . 

How oft have we shed the sorrowing tear 

O'er the new made grave of some kindred dear, 

Took the parting hand of father or mother. 

And met with one friend but to part with another. 

Sad and often we've said farewell, now, good-bye. 

To those we ne'er shall see till we see them on high. 

Though this shifting life is full of farewells — 
Though the parting sigh oft the bosom swells, 
Yet we know when we reach that far off land, 
And meet with the pure on life's golden strand, 
We'll ne'er pause to say 'mid our raptures true, 
■" Farewell, for I now must bid you adieu." 



64 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

BE FRUGAL WITH EACH TRUSTED THING. 



Do not squander precious hours ; 

They should earnestly be sought, 
To increase our budding powers, 

And unfold the flowers of thought. 
Do not waste the days of youth, 

But with glowing mind and heart, 
Seek the gems of lore and truth — 

Seek to take a noble start. 

Seek in future life to gain 

Honest wealth, by earnest toil, 
Honored name without a stain, 

And a soul without a soil. 
Seek to mount to higher heights. 

With a firm and steady aim. 
And by good and valiant fights, 

Have or earn success and fame. 

Save and waste not; 'tis unjust 

To cast away what's not your own. 

Life and time is but a trust, 

Where you reap what you have sown. 

Brief probation's fleeting days 
.. Bid you work, and save, and give, 

Seeking ever wisdom's ways, 
And for God and good to live. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 65 

Be frugal with each trusted thing. 

And use it with your power; 
You know not what a day may bring, 

Nor when life's closing hour. 
You should not bury dark and deep 

Within the grovelling earth 
God-given talents meant to sweep' 

To realms of higher birth. 

Frugality, I know thou art 

A precious, fruitful flbwer, 
And cherished by the sons of art ; 

Would bid each gloomy hour, 
And oft-recurring want, depart ; 

With fragrance cheer the coming life. 
Chase darkest shadows from the heart. 

And greatly lessen crime and strife. 

But can we wonder, is it strange. 

When golden days have fled. 
When far across life's verdant range 

Life's withered hopes are dead — 
When prodigal of time and gold. 

They feel their need the most, 
That crime and sorrows sadly hold 

Such at their gloomy post? 

Life is just what you shall make it. 

It's your own uncultured field ; 
You can plow and cultivate it, 

And it fruit and flowers will yield. 



POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

But no other hand can do it; 

And if you leave it all undone, 
You will be the man to rue it 

When the harvest is begun. 

If you waste your life in riot, 

If, by loafing night and day, 
You try to kill time by it. 

Life will flitter soon away ; 
But when life is sadly ended, 

You will have no garnered sheaves, 
And nought of love or hope is blended 

Where there's only dark dead leaves. 

Do not seek with miser's greed, 

But strive to attain and stand 
Where you can give to those that need 

With kind and generous hand. 
O man! entrusted with your fate. 

To use life's fleeting breath. 
To fit you for a nobler state, 

Why will ye waste it unto death ? 

Then shun with care the useless waste 

Of money and of time. 
It soils the life, depraves the taste. 

And points the mind to crime. 
But cultivate this golden flower. 

And bravely toil and firmly wait. 
And soon amid life's tranquil bower 

Kind fortune's smile will vanquish fate. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 67 

The damning curse of our age 

Is want of honesty and truth, 
The oft-recurring trust betrayed, 

And pampered follies of our youth. 
The ardent love of show and dress. 

The anxious haste for wealth and fame, 
And strong contempt, so oft expressed, 

For honest character and name. 

The spreading thought, too often praised, 

That crime is nothing, if it win ; 
And millions stole is sense displayed — 

To steal a little is a sin. 
Success is all that's to be sought, 

Regardless of the means and ways ; 
The only crime is being caught^ 

And in a prison end your days. 

These thoughts are poison to the mind, 

As scent of Upas trees. 
That, scattered on the whispering wind. 

Bears death upon the breeze. 
Another curse of modern day. 

Is lack of earnest aim in life ; 
We flitter half our years away 

In aimless thought and strife. 

The fashion, now too common, is, 
Receive a trust, steal all you can ; 

The people only call it " buis," 
And hail you as the rising man. 



68 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

Shall open shame go write her name 
On virtue, only prop of fame ? 

And grovelling men by acts proclaim, 
That vice and virtue are the same. 

Nay, though corruption now may sway. 

Yet honesty shall live and rise, 
And trust preserved have greater pay, 

And truth prove wiser far than lies. 
Integrity shall rule the land. 

And honest yeomen yet will rise. 
Maintain the trust that's in their hand, 

And fraud dishonor and despise. 




OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 69 

THE CAPTIVE JEWS. 



By the rivers of Babylon we sat down, 
Yea, with heavy hearts and looks cast down, 
For we long had journeyed with weary tread, 
As a captive band, by conqueror led; 
Our hearts were weary, and sad were we. 
As we hung our harps on the willow tree. 

We sadly wept when we thought of Zioh, 

Sorely torn, like the prey of lion, 

And oft turned our eager, tearful eyes 

To the hills that met the far off western skies. 

Jerusalem ! Jerusalem ! whene'er we thought of thee 

We sadly hung our harps upon the willow tree. 

When we thought of all our glories past. 

And how those glories closed at last — • 

Of our most beautiful, queenly city, 

Our hearts were touched and melted with pity ; 

We felt how hard it was a captive to be, 

And we hung our harps on the willow tree. 

Jerusalem! O, Jerusalem! if I forget thee. 

Thy lofty walls and stately cedar tree, 

If I forget thy beauty, thy glory cease to love. 

Thy blessed courts and temples — they seem like those 

above — 
May I forget my cunning, nor captive cease to be. 
But ever hang my harp upon the willow tree. 



70 



POETIC FRAGMENTS;- 



Though weary are our nights, and our labors long. 

They tljat led us hither captives require of us a song. 

How can we sing of Zion in a strange land ? 

We, a sad and feeble few of a captive band, 

When our hearts are far away by the Great Sea's billow^ 

And we have hung our harps upon the weeping willow. 

Though oft we heard sweet music within the mighty city,. 
It only roused our hearts to beat with hope and pity. 
Whene'er we saw her games and her festal days, 
Her many crowded streets and pleasure-seeking ways. 
With heavy hearts we'd lay our heads upon our pillOw, 
And sadly hang our harps upon the weeping willow. 

As Jehovah commanded, time our deliverance brought, 
And with happy tread our blessed land we sought ; 
Seventy long years after we entered the mighty town, 
Since by the rivers of Babylon sadly we sat down. 
Our captive bands were loosed, and we again were free, 
And gladly took our harps from off the willow tree. 

So we, like captive Jews in a strange land. 
When adverse winds cast our barque upon the strand, 
When many rocks appear, and many sorrows come, 
When breakers thick beset, and anchor we have none, 
When rudderless we drift upon life's stormy billow, 
Like them we hang our harps upon the weeping willow. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 71'. 

WOMAN. 



O ! would that I could touch my lyre, 

And bid its cords be free, 
To wake soft music, and aspire 

To sweetest melody, 

The highest note that I would touch, , 
Would praise creation's Sire, 

For His creative wisdom's such 
As make our souls admire. 

'And 'mong the objects bright and rare 

Created by His power. 
There's none to man so pure and fair,. 

Or cheers his lonely hour, 

As woman. In her hallowed sphere 
She sits the queen of love; 

She has a smile, she has a tear, 
As pure as joys above. 

Earth hath no objects half so fair,. 

So heavenly and so pure; 
Man has no helpmate in his care. 

So lovely and so sure. 



72 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

As flowers their fragrance sweetly shed, 
Kind woman soothes the brow of care, 

And o'er man's darkest pathway spread 
The sunshine of a radiance fair. 

Methinks, o'er all the realms of space, 
Creative hand ne'er meant to trace 

A nobler form, or fairer face, 

With brighter charm, or sweeter grace, 

Than woman, who was sent to cheer 
Man in his lonely, hapless fate, 

With kindness, and affection's tear, 
And lead him to a higher state. 

Her charming face and trusting heart 
Wakes in his breast heroic flame ; 

For her he toils by strength and art, 
To carve his way to wealth and fame. 

He tills the soil, and sails the fleet. 
Subdues the earth, explores its wilds. 

To lay his treasures at her feet, 
For her approving love and smiles. 

In every land where women stand. 
In loving beauty by man's side, 

.His rudeness turns to manners bland. 
And truth and honor is his pride. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 73 

First at the cradle and the grave, 

With sweUing heart and anxious breath, 

She ope's the eyes of great and brave, 
And shuts them in the glare of death. 

Then tyrant man, that scoffs at fear. 
At your own hearth, or where ye roafti, 

Strive with true love to bless and cheer 
This angel of our earthly home. 



74 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 



FAREWELL TO MARY * 



Farewell, fair friend ! 'tis hard to part 
With one I thought to hold so dear; 

Though passion rend the feeling heart, 
It shall not start the bitter tear. 

Farewell ! for I will bid thee adieu, 
And faces fair as thine I'll see, 

And I will find a heart as true 
As thine could ever be to me. 

Though from thy brow bright beauty beam 

As fair and pure as it can be, 
And proud smiles on thy face doth gleam 

Too haughty, cold, and proud for me. 

I thought, in eternity and time, 

As less than stranger thou should'st be ; 

I thought indifference sublime 

Should waft me ever far from thee. 

But life's too short for bitter thought. 
Too brief for pride, too bright for tears ; 

The buried past to me is naught, 

And casts no shadow on the future years. 
* Every poet must have a Mary. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 75 

I will not ask, when far away, 

One tender thought of love from thee, 

But only in life's future day 

That thou wilt kindly think of me. 

Remember me ! when sad thoughts steal 

Across thy fair young brow, 
When joy and hope do not reveal 

Their forms as bright as now. 

Remember me ! thou can'st not think 

Of one who held thee dearer, 
Or one whom time will fondly link 

Thy memory to him nearer. 

May joy and beauty with thee go. 

Nor ever from thee sever; 
May peace attend thy path below, 

And happiness forever ! 



76 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

TO JENNIE— REMEMBRANCE. 



Like dew gems of morning 

That sparkle so bright,. 
Like moonbeams adorning 

The glory of night, 
Like visions of beauty, 

Like stars in the main, 
Thy image, fair Jennie, 

Haunts bosom and brain.. 

Like roses of summer 

When fairest they bloom, 
Like streamlets that murmur 

'Long banks of perfume, 
Like sweet music 'waking, 

O'er isles in the sea, 
Is memory's glance taking 

Bright glimpses of thee. 

The hopes that allure me 

To bliss in the skies. 
The promptings that bid me 

Be great and be wise. 
Are not in their beauty 

More pure and more true 
Than my heart's fond devotion, 

Fair Jennie, for you. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 77 

Were this world ever bright 

And fair as it seems, 
Were our joys and dehght 

As we paint in our dreams, 
They could add no more bliss, 

As I journeyed along, 
Than thy smile and thy presence, 

Thou theme of my song. 



FAREWELL TO MISS B , ON HER 

DEPARTURE FOR COLLEGE. 



Miss B , farewell ! 'tis hard to tell, 

Amid life's checkered scenes, 
How oft the heart may wandering turn, 
And feel the soul within it burn. 

And hopes on which it leans 
Fade and depart, like autumn flowers 
Nipped by the blast in wintry hours ; 

But they know what it means. 
Who've said farewell to hopes and friends, 
And felt the pang that parting lends. 

Fair friend, you go, with mind aglow. 

To gather gems of thought ; 
To treasure truths and knowledge bright. 
To cheer your path with wisdom's light, 

And may you lack for nought ; 



78 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

But high the hill of science mount, 
Drink deep at the Castalian fount, 

" A soul-refreshing draught ; " 
And cultivate each social part 
That elevates the mind and heart. 

And may you learn, and' soon return 

To friends and kindred dear ; 
And may your life be tree from strife, 
And from all sorrows that are rife 

In this probation here. 
And now farewell ! 'tis hard to tell 
A friend we've known so long and well 

Farewell, without a tear. 
And may thy barque, borne by love's breeze^ 
Be wafted o'er bright, wavele&s seas. 




OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 79 

TO A FAIR ONE, AS AN UNKNOWN 
ADMIRER. 



I have seen thee, I have met thee, 

I know thy face is fair ; 
I know there's dimples in thy cheeks, 

And ringlets in thy hair. 
I know thou hast a soft dark eye. 

With hquid love it beams. 
It says thou art a lovely maid. 

Or says not what it seems. 

I know thou hast a pretty form, 

A step that's light and free ; 
And fancy oft has viewed that form 

Since 1 have looked on thee. 
I've seen thy eyelids gently droop, 

And shut bright glories in ; 
And yet the half-veiled glances said, 

" Look out ! I'm sure to win." 

I know thou hast a lovely mouth, 

'Tis made hke Cupid's bow, 
And perfumed zephyrs from the south 

Have not such sweetness — no. 
And thy lips are red as rubies, 

Richly stored with honeyed bliss, 
And the gentle winds with pleasure sigh, 

Whene'er those lips they kiss. 



80 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

But 'tis unseeming in a stranger 

To thus address the fair, 
And in painting charms there's danger 

He may paint himself a snare. 
,He does not bow at beauty's shrine 

Who pens this measured Hne ; 
He honors lasting gems of worth, 

The beauties of the mind. 

Yet sometimes, 'mid his deeper though 

Bright fancy wakes to birth, 
And brings, in glittering train unsought, 

The fairest forms of earth. 
.And when he sees some fair one's face, 

A stranger though she be. 
He views, with poet's eye, the grace 

Of form and symmetry, 

And asks if beings thus so fair, 

Have minds as fair as face, 
And if the heart has beauties rare 

As form is full of grace. 
And now a youthful stranger asks 

Your pardon thus to write, 
For when he does his thoughts unmask. 

He seeks the boldest flight. 

Yes, oft times flitting o'er his book, 

His glowing fancy paints 
The loveliest images, that look 

As fair and pure as saints ; 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 81 

And he wonders if the fair ones here, 

Whose beauty pleased his eye, 
In beauty bright, undimmed by tear, 

Will shine in realms on high. 



LINES TO MISS LAURA. 



But just last Sabbath I went to preaching, 
To sing, and pray, and hear religious teaching. 
I quietly within a pew did sit me down, 
And to see what I might see I looked around. 
When, lo ! I saw as beautiful an object to behold 
As e'er by man was seen, or e'er by poets told. 
I have seen the sun on a morning bright ; 
I have seen the moon on a clear, still night; 
I have seen the rose in its beauty bud, 
And the rainbow bend o'er old ocean's flood; 
I've seen childhood sport in its innocent joy. 
And many of earth's flowers, and many a toy ; 
But never yet has such beauty rare 
Beamed on my sight as it did there. 
'Twas a woman's form, but an angel's face. 
That sat in the pew with such queenly grace. 
Her form, it was perfect ; her face was as fair 
As the Grecian busts that are chiseled so rare; 
The soft raven hair, that waved on her brow. 



82 POETIC FRAGMENTS? 

Was darker than clouds that rush waves on the prow ; 
The tinge on her cheek was as rich as the glow 
That crimsons the clouds when sunset is low ; 
Her eyes were like heaven's own azure dome blue, 
When the day it is fair, and the clouds they are few ; 
And her teeth were like pearls set in jewels most rare; 
And her countenance glowed with heavenly beauty most 

fair. 
And I thought as I quietly sat in my pew, % 
And fancy brought up many scenes to my view, 
Of the angels that dwell in the fair world of bliss, 
And are said sometimes to minister to mortals in this ; 
That 'mong the bright throng so celestial and fair, 
None more lovely could be found than she who sat there. 
Man's angel on earth ! heavenly woman so true ! 
As from visions of Eden I turn from the view. 
One glance at such beauty in soft rapture brings 
To my mind quiet joy, to my thoughts heavenly things. 
High, noble impulses rise up at the sight, 
And walk forth like the stars walk the fair fields of night,. 
And sweep through my bosom like song angel sings. 
And like the kind touch on a thousand harp strings. 
More potent than sermons preached from the stand. 
Was a glimpse at the work of Creator's wise hand. 
Nor did this lady fair make ray: devotion any the less, 
For a look at her inspired it, as I am willing to confess. 
And I felt a worthy ambition within my bosom rise 
To praise the great Creator, and be both good and wise. 
Asking that heaven might bless her and all the good 

each day. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 83 ^ 

Filled with heaven-born aspirations, I calmly turned 

away — 
Turned and fixed my wayward thoughts on the sermon. 

and its parts, 
And looked to Him who rules, and is searcher of all 

hearts ; 
Who sees the beauty of the soul and all its features fine — 
Beauties that are lasting, priceless, immortal and divine.. 



84 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 



LINES WRITTEN ON THE MISSOURI RIVER, 
WHILE ON MY WAY WEST. 



To the West, to the West, I am bound for the West, 
The broad land of plenty, where millions are blessed ; 
Where the prairies are broad, and the forests are tall ; 
Where the air it is fresh, and there's room for us all; ' 
Where fair nature unveiled in her loveliest hues, 
Makes the heart ever glad and free from the blues ; 
Where the breezes refreshing, in frolicsome play, 
Kiss the many-hued flowers that bloom in their way ; 
Where the flowers blush at their beauty so sweet. 
Smile at the sun, and the breezes doth greet ; 
Where the heart is well tutored by nature's fair hand, 
And the mind at her fulness does widely expand; 
Where variegated landscapes in beauty are spread. 
As broad and expansive as nature's own tread. 
Then bear me, Missouri, upon thy smooth breast, 
For I seek a bright land still far to the West, 
Where the sun shines more brightly, the'sky is more fair, 
Where health is abundant and sickness is rare. 
Waft, waft me, ye winds, be propitious in flight, 
Tjjl I view other lands that will gladden my sight; 
Then bring me again to those scenes and this shore. 
To those friends and that quiet I knew once of yore. 
For I leave the dear scenes of jny childhood and youth. 
Where I sported in innocent simplicity and truth — 
-Many friends, many kindred, reminiscences dear. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. ' 85. 

That will cling to my heart, and in sadness will cheer. 

Yes, scenes that with pleasure my being did fill, 

Cling to me now, in years will cling to me still. 

I remember bright, eyes, fair faces, kind hearts, 

Whose forms from my memory will never depart. 

'Tis strange but 'tis true, as the past has well proved. 

There are persons we meet, by whose faces we're moved,, 

The mind and the heart seems untutored to know, 

On whom true and fondly its affections to stow. 

Many friends and companions far behind me I leave, 

For many charming, love-inspiring fair ladies I grieve, 

Whose society and friendship I greatly enjoyed, 

Whom I long shall remember with pleasure alloyed — 

Alloyed on account of their absence from me, 

But perfect in this a sweet reminiscency. 

But I bid you adieu, kind maidens and fair, 

With your bright beaming faces and soft waving hair, 

With your gay, pleasant manners and bright winning ways, 

Your bewitching dark eyes that so cruelly slays, 

With your graceful forms and most perfect features. 

Farewell, ye supremely, admirable creatures. 

May you ever be thus charming and fair — ' 

Ever free from all trouble, sorrow and care ; 

And when you do wed may he worthy be 

In whom you trust happiness, life, liberty. 

Farewell now, my friends; pleasant scenes, fare ye well; 

The pain of this parting I will not now tell. 

For I seek other lands Avhere soft breezes sigh. 

Then welcome, ye plains ; Missouri, good-bye. 



POETIC FRAGMENTS; 
ELLA GRAY. 



In numbers here my song I'd whirl, 

And wake a tuneful lay 
To the virtues of a fair young girl, 

Whose name is Ella Gray. 

But lately I beheld her face, 

So perfect and so fair, 
The modest look, the quiet grace; 

O ! there was beauty there. 

I've seen fair woman in the pride 
Of gaudy fashion dressed, 

I've seen her mingle in the tide 
Where mazy dancers pressed; 

I've seen her in the parlor sit, 

With jewels in her hair, 
-And primp her face and try her wit. 

Some lover to ensnare. 

• 
Theirs is the glitter of an hour, 

The beauty of a day. 

But endless is true beauty''s power — 

That's found in Ella Gray. 

Some seek to wound you without cure. 

And cast your hopes away, 
But higher, nobler and more pure 

Are the thoughts of Ella Gray. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 87 

For in fair Ella's lovely face 

Deception is not found, 
But guileless soul and modest grace 

Sheds beauty all around. 

There's purity upon her brow, 

As fair as heaven can be, 
And in her smile is beauty now. 

As bright as earth can see. 

There is a beauty in the soul, 

That outlasts aught of earth, 
Matter cannot the power control. 

To give such beauty birth. 

Fair Ella has this priceless gift. 

Religion lights her way. 
And piety her thoughts do lift 

To heaven and endless day. 

There's matchless beauty in her eye, 

And on her face I see 
A winning smile that I would prize. 

Though it were not for me. 

O Ella Gray ! fair Ella Gray, 

May beauty e'er be thine. 
May joys greet thee every day. 

And round thy pathway twine. 



88 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

May naught disturb thy peace of mind — 
Nay, heaven forbid they should — 

For heaven and justice round thee twined, 
Would blast them if they would. 

May heaven her richest blessings send 

Upon thy pathway here, 
And earth her choicest pleasures lend,. 

Nor ask of thee a tear. 

And Ella Gray, when far away, 
Think sometimes still of me. 

And I again, fair Ella Gray, 
Will oft times think of thee. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 



A SOLDIER'S EPITAPH. 



Fellow-soldiers and friends, as you pass by- 
Shed a bright tear and heave a deep sigh, 
For a soldier's remains lie mouldering here, 
Whose memory is worthy the boon of a tear. 
Through many dangers and battles he passed. 
But sigh for his fate, for this was his last. 
'Mid the tempest of battle, 'mid the havoc of fight, 
His bosom was pierced, his spirit took its flight. 
When his country demanded he came at her call, 
We rejoiced at his patriotism, but mourned at his fall. 
Then weep for his friends, for his country lament, 
That he can no more for them to battle be sent; 
That they and their brave young defender should part, 
One so valiant in spirit, so noble in heart. 
Weep also for him who, so young and so brave, 
Has found on this spot a premature grave. 
He went out in the hour of his country's deep gloom, 
To dispel which he rushed to a soldier's dark tomb. 
Let him rest where he lies, " on his death-bed of fame," 
And let liberty weep at the sound of his name. 
These words are a tribute to a soldier so true. 
For the soldier who wrote them wrote what he knew. 



90 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

FRAGMENTS TO MARY— REMEMBRANCE. 



The fleeting steps of time with muffled tread 
Have passed along, and many moons with 
Varied face have numbered months since on 
Your form I looked. Grim-visaged winter with 
His hoary locks has spread his snowy mantle 
O'er the earth, and time with icy fingers ushered in 
Another year since I have seen the sunshine of your 
Face light up the wintry pathway of a pilgrim here. 
Yet nothing that in thee most worthy was, or of a 
Noble stamp, that pleased the eye, or sent a thrill 
Of gladness through the heart, has been by me forgot. 
But ever and anon, as backward rolled the river of 
My thoughts, and I did gaze on memory's flowers 
That strewed its upper banks, I did behold. 
Reflected clear and bright, one that was fair, 
And in its lustre far outshone the brightest that 
E'er basked beneath an Orient sky, and in its 
Beauty and surpassing loveliness it did something 
Of your form and image take, that did beguile my 
Fancy of its brightest powers. And I have looked 
Upon it as a golden charm that lit the center 
Of my being with the glowing radiance of bright, 
Noble thoughts, as though I gazed upon a 
Flower of Paradise transplanted in a wintry cHme, 
To cheer with the fragrance of a heavenly smile 
The gloom and desolation of a weary round of life. 
Even as I gazed that smile, like sunshine, 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 91 

Seemed to fill life's cup with bright and brimming joys, 
I wonder if I e'er will taste ? Or, like the fleeting 
Vision of a desert, will it tempt my thirst and 
Vanish as it came. Time will tell. I only know 
That I have built an altar in the land of memory, 
And, like pilgrims journeying to the holy city, 
I make a more than annual pilgrimage to 
Bow in wrapt devotion at its lovely shrine. 
Can such things be and yet are not ? Can memory 
With her glowing colors paint and lips portray a 
Living fraud ? 'Twas never in my mood. I wonder 
At the fancy that can paint a thousand beauties 
At a flash that never were. But memory who 
Has seen her idols, can she erect an altar to 
False and unknown gods ? We'll see. Has love 
Oped the dusky volume of my life, and penciled, with 
A quick and trembling hand, an image there that 
Stands fair and clear cut as the heart's bright frontis- 
piece, and memory will bring it up, she's such an 
Idol-worshiper ? Have I trod on magic ground, 
Or ventured in the Elysian fields that skirt the land of 
Love's bright dreams ? I know not. Yet I've thrown a 
Wealth of fancy round this memory's flower that will 
Weigh it to the earth, or lift it like a soaring angel 
To the skies. I wonder if I e'er shall meet one 
Loving heart so true, and we shall be the happiest 
Two that ever trod life's journey through ? I wonder 
If our path shall glide through valleys of peace, along 
Quiet rivers of joy, amid flowers of affection, beneath 
The ever-green foliage of constancy, where the gentle 



92 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

Whisperings of love will be sweeter music than the melody 
Of ^olian harps, where the bright rays of heaven 
Sent hope, and the golden sunshine of true happiness 
Shall gild the scene with a radiance and beauty 
That shall laden Hfe with sweetness, and our souls 
With peace and joy; and descendmg life's gentle 
Declivity shall the glorious, bright-beaming sun of 
Enduring, heavenly hope shimmer down through 
Bright-rifted clouds in golden-tmted hues upon 
Our closing pathway ? But time and sentiment, 
Like arm-hnked youths, go hastening by, and staid 
Propriety, with her sober smile, forbids a further 
Flow of deep or transient sentiment. And, 
Backward turning, memory recalls her distant 
Thoughts. Yet, still I feel the charm of grace 
And character that hovers round this memory's- 
Flower, and in my recollection treasured up. 
Amid the imges of things most beautiful and 
Lovely, I know it still is there. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 93 

FRAGMENTS TO MARY. 

FRIENDSHIP AND THE PAST. 



Again I write, but not with glowing ardor 

And the buoyant hopes that thrill the soul 

Of youth, when every heart-string trembles at 

The breath of love, but with the kind and 

Steady glow of sacred friendship, Love's second 

Self. And with the wish that as true friendship 

Ever treasures up a friend, so may I claim 

Your kind remembrance to the last, nor altogether 

Be forgot. In the language of the blind and 

Aged bard of ancient Scio's rocky isle, 

*^ Forget me not, but let my spirit linger 

As a soft, shadowy twilight o'er thy mind, 

And, like a harp touched by thy finger, 

My voice shall whisper through the evening wind, 

Forget me not ! " 

Perhaps we each have little felt the slowly withering 

Touch of Time's corroding hand, that draws his 

Plowshare, softly tracing furrows on the brow. 

But a few more quickly fleeting years will 

Leave them there ; and they 

Will deepen into darker lines, and stand 

As marks of ocean's waves, deep-furrowed, stand 

Upon the rocky cliffs that girt her stormy shore. 

For life, like ocean's billows, has her ebb and 

Flow, her quiet, peaceful glidings, and her stormy, 



94 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

Whelming waves, all pressing onward to the bottndless 
And unknown. The petty cares and toils, dark, troubled 
Thoughts, the restless longings, and the chafing spirit, 
Like the rolling waves, do beat upon the soul- 
Reflecting brow, and leave their traces furrowed there. 
Perhaps we each have had our cares. There is beneath 
The ocean of my buried past, amid the tangled 
Sea- weeds of its lower depths, some once bright 
Thoughts, and sweet dead hopes, that might have 
Sailed upon the upper surface as a gallant 
Barque cleaves the blue waves with precious 
Freight, and buoyant sweeps upon the wing 
Of winds to its bright haven o'er the silvery sea ; 
But scarce ere they had budded, they were chilled by the 

touch 
Of a rough, cruel blast, that should have been a 
Heavenly breeze, and sank in their bright 
Fragrance, with a sad and wistful look. 
To the silent depths, where all the pebbles 
And the storms of life can scarce arouse 
Them from their silent, beautiful repose. 
There let them rest ! Such has been the fate 
Of better men. They may come up as pictures,. 
Or as dreams, whose beauty can not fade. 
It may be that ocean's waters cannot wash 
Them out, and they may glide along with 
Time, and last beyond this mortal breath. 
But Time, that laid them low, has robbed 
Them of their pang and bitterness, which 
Is enough. 'Twere better to have felt 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 95 

A thousand pangs than, like cold marble 

And the sluggish clay, ne'er feel at all ; 

For after that may come some gleam of sunshine, 

And the glad heart leap up like larks to meet the sun. 

Though clouds may lower, and darkness hover 

O'er my path, I'll hold a steady helm, 

A young and fearless heart, and ride the waves. 

Whate'er the fate, my barque await ! 



FAREWELL TO SANTA FE. 



With mingled thought, and mingled feeling 
Of joy and sadness o'er me stealing, 
As from thy gates I now depart. 
With willing feet but saddened heart, 
I'll pause a moment here to say. 
In accents deep, and milder way. 
Farewell awhile ! farewell to thee ! 
Thou gay and lively Santa Fe. 

I've whiled away some pleasant hours 
Within thy gates, beneath thy bowers ; 
I've seen thy dark-eyed maidens oft 
Awake sweet music, clear and soft. 
Or mingle in the mazy dance, 
With skilful feet and winning glance. 
And welcome pleasure with a smile 
Of gladness beaming all the while. 



96 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

I've heard of fair Italian skies, 
Of dark-eyed beauties' beaming eyes. 
Of fair Castilia's blushing maids, 
Where love assumes far deeper shades, 
And mantles with a richer glow 
The rosy cheek and breast of snow, 
Or trembHng on the lips, does course 
With impulse quick and passion's force. 

But here within this pleasant vale. 
Where mountains part the wintry gale. 
And form a wall both strong and high. 
To meet the earth and prop the sky. 
Are dark-eyed mai'dens, soft and fair, 
And moonUght nights as bright and rare 
As e'er Italia's skies can boast, 
Or Castile number with her host. 

Along these mountain sides are seen 
Cedars and pines, forever green ; 
Below, the ancient town you view. 
And Little River flowing through. 
Far in the distance view the land 
Where rolls the turbid Rio Grande. 
Here would I sit, with some fair maid, 
Upon a rock, beneath the shade, 

Fanned by the soft breeze passing by. 
Charmed by a glance of her dark eye, 
And accents of Castilian tongue, 
Where melody and sweetness hung, 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 97 

And view the pleasant scenes below, 
The quiet streets, the river's flow ; 
The Casas Blancas and the spires 
Of churches gleam like glowing fires. 

The sun at mid-day scarce looks down 
Upon the earth with ardent frown, 
But throned above in splendor bright, 
Smiles on the earth with warmth and light. 
And seasons come and seasons go. 
Nor changes much his warmth and glow ; 
And when he sets above yon hills. 
With golden splendor heaven he fills. 

Here would I sit in the mid-day, 
A pleasant hour to while away; 
But when the night sweet silence brings, 
.'Spreads ©'er the earth her sable wings, 
And bids the moon, with modest face, 
Look down on nature's resting-place, 
Then would I stroll alone, and view 
Unconscious Nature in her softest hue. 

And as I viewed the starry skies. 
The glittering host with twinkling eyes. 
And felt the soft, the gentle breeze 
Steal o'er the streets and through the trees, 
How could I but with warmth exclaim, 
'■ Would thy beauties were known to fame ! 
In other lands, I well do ween, 
More lovely nights were never seen." 



98 POETIC FRAGMENTS;-, 

I would not to the Italian sky 

One truthful tribute e'er deny, 

For poets sing and travelers talk 

Of orange groves and moonlit walk j 

But this I do with candor claim 

For these fair nights more honored name, 

And boast it, as I well may dare, 

Italian nights are not more fair. 

But let not maids, nor mountains high. 
Nor quiet vales, nor lovely sky. 
Obscure the friendship that I hold 
For fairer forms of gentler mould. 
Transplanted from another land,. 
Of fairer race and face they stand ; 
Columbia's daughters, bright and free, 
Farewell ! I say, farewell to thee ! 

I paused, to bid a last adieu 
To scenes hke these I lately knew ; 
But when I paused, my fancy's trace 
Had more of lengthiness than grace. 
But now adieu to Spanish maids. 
With deep black eyes and sable braids j, 
And now, again, farewell to thee. 
Most gay and lively Santa Fe ! 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 99 

DESCRIPTION OF A DAY AND NIGHT ON THE 
PLAINS— ECLIPSE OF THE MOON, Etc. 



The day was very bright and fair,. 
The sun rode high in upper air ; 
On wheels of fire he seemed to ride 
Through trackless seas of ether wide. 
Majestic was his silent tread, 
And as he looked on earth he shed, 
From countenance supremely bright, 
Kind, glowing warmth and living hght.. 
So brightly shone his dazzling face 
That human eye could scarcely trace 
Whether it was with ardent frown 
Or genial smile that he looked down. 
As o'er the trackless plain he rose, 
Nature awoke from calm repose, 
Shook off her lethargy to greet 
The king of day's returning feet. 
The plain extended far and wide. 
And in the distance seemed to glide 
Where earth and sky commingling met, 
In azure bright, or darkening jet. 
'Twas level, save when here and there 
Appeared a bluff or hillock bare. 
These in the distance gloomy stood 
With sable brow and sullen mood. 
No forests tall were to be seen, 



too POETIC FRAGMENTS ; 

No pleasant vales or meadows green, 

No habitations there of man ; 

Far as the keenest eye could scan 

It was a monstrous waste of land, 

Of coarse brown grass, and scattered sand. 

But who can well with pen describe 

This broad expanse of prairie wide ? 

The weary traveler when he stands 

Amid this endless sea of lands 

Feels isolated, lone and lost. 

Like one on ocean's bosom tossed. 

With trackless waters round him spread. 

And heaven's canopy overhead. 

But when the bright and beauteous sun 

His daily course had glorious run, • 

With larger face and brighter hue. 

As if he bade a kind adieu, 

He sank far in the distant west, 

As weary traveler sinks to rest. 

Then twilight came, with sotter ray. 

As rearguard of the parting day, 

To chase awhile, with sombre light. 

The gathering shades of coming night. 

This sober hour oft have I sought 

To join in meditative thought, 

Wake nobler feelings in my breast, 

Calm wilder feelings into rest. 

And view the slow expiring day 

As emblem of man's sure decay. 

The night advanced with gathering gloom, 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 101 

And lowering clouds did darkly loom, 

Like monsters of the upper deeps 

That revel while kind nature sleeps. 

The balmy winds that blessed the day, 

Swollen with pride, now swept their way,. 

Howling across the level plain 

Like requiem sung o'er foemen slain. 

Though sable clouds thick floated round,. 

A few light clouds were to be found 

Amid the latter, and between 

Rode the full moon with placid sheen. 

I looked, and saw a shadow deep 

Along the moon's edge slowly creep, 

And when I looked again, did mark 

The growing shadow grow more dark. 

The earth its shadow slowly trace 

Along the pale moon's silvery face. 

Between the sun and moon she passed. 

And cast her shadow on the last. 

To see the moon come out again 

I cast me down upon the plain, 

No covering but the restless sky. 

No sounds save that of winds passed by. 

The clouds still floated thick above, 

But whether from respect or love 

They still did leave a vacant space 

Through which the moon might show her face,. 

I watched that shadow long and well, 

And saw the light die where it fell, 

Until the moon was covered alL 



103 POETIC, FRAGMENTS; 

And wrapped as in a funeral pall. 
Then darkness flapt her sable wings, 
And deeper gloom spread o'er all things. 
It lasted thus perhaps one hour, 
When light first showed her glowing power. 
And rayless moon that hung like lead 
In heaven's vault, now softly shed 
From half-veiled face, bright silvery light, 
That pierced the gloom that rob'd the night 
And soon again night's sable queen 
Looked forth unshadowed and serene. 
And soon the winds did sink to rest, 
And dark clouds hovering floated west. 
And night assumed her placid mien, 
And moon her calm, unruffled sheen. 
And with a kind and winning grace 
Looked down on earth with modest face. 
Ah ! placid moon, oft hast thou viewed 
The battle-field with corpses strewed. 
Reproachful viewed each bloody deed, 
And pitying saw their victims bleed. 
Viewed calmly as thou now dost ride 
Full many a wreck of storm and tide ; 
Full many a ship on ocean's wave 
That long hath found a watery grave ; 
Full many a theft and horrid crime, 
Long hidden by the lapse of time; 
Full many a nation swept away. 
Her rise, her progress, and decay ; 
Full many lovers as they walked 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 103 

And in low love-tones softly talked ; 

Who otten raised their love-lit eyes 

And beaming face to moon-Ut skies, 

And saw thy smiling face above 

Look down and bless their mutual love ; 

And vowed the flame they blushed to own 

Was far more constant than thine own. ^'i 

But time sped on, while fancy keen 

Sought from the moon what she had seen. 

And night passed by with silent feet 

Till she and dawning day did meet. 

Then light o'er earth did gently creep. 

And man awoke from healthful sleep, 

And rising sun proclaimed the day^ ]. 

And gloomy darkness fled away. 




104 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 



FAREWELL TO MISS W. 



I am thinking now of a lady fair, 
With deep blue eyes and golden hair, 
With virtues many and beauty much, 
And all hearts feel her magic touch. 
With manners pleasant and winning mind,. 
And fair as the fairest ot her kind. 

'Tis true I have not known her long, 

Bur I know that her virtues are worthy of song,. 

That goodness and beauty in her doth combine 

To soften the heart and tutor the mind; 

But this the sad sequel is hardest to tell, 

Soon for distant lands she'll bid us farewell. 

Farewell, then, Miss W., may you ever be 
From trouble and sorrow forever free. 
May thy path be strewn with garlands fair. 
And life yield thee joys both solid and rare. 
And this with truth you may ever know. 
My best wishes go with you wherever you go. 

May the blessings of heaven attend in thy course, 
And the joys of this earth add its bhss to their force,. 
And the fullness of both, like the beautiful sun, 
Shine bright on thy path till thy race thou hast run,. 
Till with smile on thy face and hope in thine eye. 
To earth and its changes thou'lt bid a good-bye. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 105 



FRAGMENTS. 



EDUCATION. 



Education is a drama in which each one acts his part ; 
It begins when we begin, and ends when we depart ; 
It is the full development of body, mind and heart. 



SCHOOL DAYS. 

Those hours were pleasant that in play were spent, 
Or culling from books, with mind intent. 
Most useful knowledge, that, in future days, 
Should guide our feet and cheer our ways. 

YOUTH AND AGE, 

Youth is like the glowing morn, bursting into brighter 

day, 
Like the ardent sun that sweeps swiftly on to noontide's 

ray; 
Youth is bursting life and joy, pressing on with ardent 

feet 
To the noontide of life's day, to where strength and 

manhood meet. 

Age is like the setting sun, sinking in the twilight gray, 
Like cold starlight shimmering down at the close of 

winter day — 
Like benighted traveler lost, waiting for another dawn. 
Whose day of strength is past, and he fears to venture on. 

7 



106 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

PRIDE. 

I love a manly pride, that sets with gentle grace 
Upon a noble brow and a firm and manly face ; 
I love an honest hand, and a fi-ank and earnest eye, 
That says, " Life is my battle-ground; I conquer or I die." 

The pride that says, " I'll be a man of high and noble 

stamp. 
That honesty shall be my guide, and truth shall be my 

lamp; 
Too brave to lie, too proud to steal, I'll live an honest 

life. 
And buffet back temptation's waves, or perish in the 

strife." 

SCORNFUL PRIDE. 

Scorn or contempt I ne'er could brook, 

Anger and hatred I'd rather see ; 
I cannot bear the scornful look, 

That says, *' You are no match for me." 

Were I to lay an honest heart 

At feet of one I loved most well, 
A little scorn would make me start. 

And snatch it as from gates of hell. 

THIS WORLD A FLEETING SHOW. 

O, this world I it is dreary. 
And how many grow weary 
Of its toils and its cares, 
And its troubles and snares ! 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 107 

Many there be who would not regret, 

Should their sun of life set. 

In this world is wealth, honor and merit, 

But we know even these are vexations of spirit. 

All the pleasures and joys that man can e'er gain, 

Beginneth in fear and endeth in pain-; 

All the power and glory that he can e'er crave, 

Is his but a moment, then spoils of the grave. 

Who, then, that treads along the slippery paths of life, 

Meandering through labyrinths of toil and fields of strife, 

But who would meekly bow to death's oblivious rod, 

And sleep in peace, that they might wake with God ! 



TO VIRGINIA. 



Though we parted once in sadness, 
'Mid the halcyon days of yore. 

Soon we'll meet again in gladness. 
More fondly than before. 

O ! that glorious, happy meeting. 

Beneath a brighter sky, 
With our hearts in union beating. 

And love light in our eye. 

Then we'll meet and naught can sever. 
Bound by love's gentle band, 

We will walk life's pathway ever. 
Together hand in hand. 



108 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

How I long, dear, darling Jennie, 

To see thy smiling face; 
I have seen the smiles of many. 

But none can take thy place. 

Thy face is fair and lovely, 

Thine eyes are softly blue. 
And who could help but love thee. 

Who knows thy heart so true — 

Who knows the wealth and depth of love 

That in thy bosom glows, 
The purity, like heaven above, 

That from thy spirit flows ? 

Thy soul looks through the doors of sight, 
And beams from out thine eye 

With golden light, both pure and bright. 
As angels passing by. 

O ! could I gaze into those eyes 
That beam with heavenly thought, 

I'd feel the ties of love I prize. 
Still nearer to me brought. 

I knew when first I saw thy form, 

When first thy smile I felt. 
That heart more pure and love more warm 

Ne'er in a bosom dwelt. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 109 

O ! happy were the hours I spent 

While sitting by thy side, 
And once with love-toned voice I bent 

And wooed thee for my bride. 

I told thee how I loved thee, 

I took thy hand in mine 
And drew it gently to me, 

And asked thee to be mine 

I saw the tear-drop in thine eye, 

I felt the ocean deep 
Of love within my heart roll high, 

That I could make thee weep. 

That hour I never shall forget. 

But memory will retain it. 
And time will only deeper set 

That diamond gem within it. 

But, dear, we soon shall meet again. 

And blessed will be that meeting. 
And passed will be the pang of pain. 

And glad will be the greeting. 

Then I will claim thee for my bride, 

My precious one, my dearest, 
My lovely, fair and darling pride, 

The sweetest and the nearest. 



110 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

Now, fleeting time, go plume your wing, 
And dip your feet in pleasure. 

And from the streams of bliss go bring 
Us joy without measure. 

For soon upon life's restless main, 
We'll tie our barques together, 

And joyful sail till port we gain. 
Nor fear no stormy weather. 



FAREWELL TO THE ATHANEAN SOCIETY. 



Hail hope ! propitious fortune hail ! 

And light my future way. 
Nor let my barque 'mid sorrow sail, 

When from these halls I stray. 

For fate has bid my feet depart, 

'Mid other scenes to go; 
Yet how it pains the yearning heart 

The cruel thought to know. 

The many pleasant hours I've spent 

Within these classic walls, 
In other days, like music sent. 

Will tread though memory's halls, 

'Tis here I've met, in' converse sweet, 
Kind, noble-hearted youths. 

In wisdom's ways they train their feet, 
And seek for heaven-born truths. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. Ill 

'Tis here each one has brought his store 

Of knowledge and of thought, 
And each has sought from hidden lore 

To drink a heavy draught. 

Here we have met congenial friends, 

Saw mental combats rage, 
And how each mind its power lends 

To make each rising sage. 

There is one word I soon must speak, 

I hate that word to tell. 
That I soon other scenes will seek. 

And bid these halls farewell. 

Farewell, my friends ! ye scenes, farewell ! 

I leave you with your joys, x 

I love you more than words can tell. 

More than gay scenes and toys. 




112 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

ON HEARING OF THE DEATH OF A LADY 
FRIEND. 



This wondrous world is full of change, 
Of varied scenes and things most strange, 
Where joy and woe each have their day, 
Where pleasures charm and vices slay, 
Where old and young, and power and gold 
'Neath time's relentless wheels are rolled ; 
Where death its spoils and victims claim. 
In every land of every name. 
Nor less the grave //i victories boast. 
For legions are its sleeping host, 
And in its pulseless breast shall lie 
The prince, the potentate, and I. 
But O! indeed 'tis sad to think 
That all men tremble on its brink — 
The rich, the poor, the high, the low, 
Soon its oblivious rest shall know. 
The vigorous youth in childhood's hour, 
The maiden fair and manhood's power. 
The lover with his golden dream. 
The wedded fair in joy's brigh beam, 
The great in thought, the great in name. 
The great in earthly power and fame, 
Soon each shall feel death's cold embrace, 
And in the tomb shall end their race. 
These were my musings, this my thought, 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 113 

When from afar sad news was brought 

That she was dead. Can it be true, 

That in the tomb she slumbers too ? 

She who was fair, divinely fair, 

For beauty famed and talents rare. 

From her bright eye there sweetly beamed 

A beauty that all heaven-born seemed, 

And every feature of her face, 

Glowed with soft beauty, truth and grace ; 

The pendent ringlets of her hair 

Were dark as night and soft as air; 

Her form was pretty, and full of grace 

Was every motion she did trace. 

The radiant beauty of her soul 

Increased the lustre of her outward mould ; 

For still the maid her charms improved, 

With inward greatness nothing moved. 

I knew her in her early youth. 

And saw her grow in beauty, truth. 

Now in life's early morn she stood. 

Just budded into womanhood. 

When death, destroyer of our race. 

Did on the wall a writing trace, 

And numbered all her mortal days. 

Then tuned htr harp for heavenly lays. 

To a brave youth she was engaged. 

Who grasped the sword while battles raged. 

Now that the sun of peace did shine, 

The white flag round the sword did twine, 

The fires of war did cease to burn. 



114 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

He soon to home and friends would turn. 
Yes, just before this sad event 
A loving epistle to her he sent, 
Stating, that now the war was o'er, 
His bloody sword he grasped no more ; 
He soon would have those vows fulfilled 
That four long years his being thrilled ; 
That she had been his star and guide 
'Mid dangers dark and battle's tide ; 
That he had faithful been he knew, 
Nor doubted she had been less true ; 
That time had naught decreased his love, 
That he had loved her, and would love ; 
And dreary would the hours pass by 
Till he could view love in her eye, 
And hear the music of her tongue 
On which his hopes impending hung ; 
That she to him was life, was all. 
While he stood on this earthly ball — 
The ocean thence his thoughts did flow, 
The garden where his hopes did grow, 
The star that led him through the night. 
The sun that flashed him glorious light. 
Most gladly she his letter received. 
For the long separation each had grieved ; 
And they both had been to each other true. 
Their love not chilled by time's cold dew. 
He came : but O ! his sorrow and pain. 
When in the tomb he heard she was lain. 
But a few short weeks before this event, 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 



115 



With her mother's remains to the grave she went ; 

But a few days before her bridal day, 

After brief sickness, she was taken away. 

Her lover o'er his grief did ponder. 

And, as one in a dream, did sadly wander. 

Or like one who has lost a precious treasure, 

And the depth of his grief is unable to measure, 

He wandered alone on a beautiful night 

To the new-made grave that hid her from sight, 

And there his impassioned soul he did pour 

O'er the rehcs of her who would cheer him no more. 

He bowed his head on his heaving breast, 

And fixed his eye on the grave's cold crest, 

And heavily leant on a marble block ; 

While grief, like a storm, his soul did rock. 

Then burst these words with fearful force. 

While the tears adown his cheek did course : 

" Farewell to earth and earthly toys ! 

Here lie my buried hopes and joys. 

I, daring, thought to write my name 

High on the gates of deathless fame. 

And hoped that she might share the same — 

My fortune and my deathless name. 

Bur O ! this fleeting world of ours, 

Where hopes are twined round fading flowers. 

The dead leaves scattered o'er the dead. 

Are emblems of bright visions fled. 

And here I bow in quenchless grief. 

That her pure life should be so brief, 

That death should claim such beauty bright, 



116 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

And grave should hide her from my sight. 

Ye stars ! ye moon, with pitying ray ! , 

Know ye this was her bridal day ? 

I have, while here in grief I lean, 

The end of all perfection seen." 

Then turned he mournful from the mound, 

And sadly in the dust sat down. 

Here we will leave him in his woe, 

Nor seek his future course to know ; 

But e'er we part we'll drop a tear 

To worth and beauty slumbering here. 



OR. COLLEGE POEMS. 117 

SCIPIO AND THE CAPTIVE PRINCESS. 



" The first Scipio, when he conquered Spain, took a 
beautiful Spanish princess prisoner, who was soon to have 
been married to a prince of that country, and returned 
her to her lover not only untouched, but giving her a for- 
tune besides." — Chesterfield's Letters. 



Hail, Apollo ! touch my lyre 
With thy fingers' magic power, 

Till it wakes heroic fire. 

And with music charms the hour. 

It is sad to tell the story, 
How a hero was cut down 

In the midst of power and glory 
And the bloom of his renown. 

But 'tis sweet to sing of heroes 
Who, when fickle fortune smiled, 

Did not act the part of Neros, 
But were gentle, just, and mild. 

Then assist my faltering fingers. 
And the gentle muses bring, 

For each sound in discord lingers, 
And no common theme I sing. 



118 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

'Tis of the right noble Scipio, 

The continent and brave, 
And how while, he Spain did lay low, 

A Spanish maid did save. 

She was gentle, young, and fair, 
Such as fan love into flame. 

And to her many beauties rare 
She added wealth and name. 

She was a feeble captive brought, 

And by the rules of war 
He could have used her as he sought, 

And broke no binding law. 

Yet when he saw this captive maid. 
And heard her mournful story. 

He far aside power, passion laid. 
And showed heroic glory. 

When she in his proud presence stood 

She bowed in silence low, 
Then plead her cause in mournful mood 

With the " eloquence of woe." 

She said, " I stand a captive here, 

Your mercy to implore. 
And should not he who knows no fear 

Know pity still the more ! 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 119 

" My father lived beside the Tagus, 
A prince of high degree, 
And wealth and fortune favored us 
Full many joys to see. 

" In innocent childhood's happy hours 
I gladly roamed the dell, 
And sat 'neath Andalusian bowers, 
And fairy tales did tell. 

" And there was one who strolled with me 
In the evening's rural walk, 
And plucked the fairest flowers for me, 
And in discourse sweet did talk. 

" He was a noble, dark-haired youth, 
With manly mien and bold. 
The soul of honor and picture of truth, 
My equal in rank and gold. 

*• And as we grew in years apace 
Our love increased with time. 
Till we fondly viewed each other's face 
In love and trust sublime. 

" I tell you, sire, he was in truth 
A worthy, noble man. 
And scorn the love of such a youth 
No woman easy can. 



120 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

" Ah ! great the bUss that we enjoyed, 
As together hand in hand, 
With trust in the future unalloyed. 
We strolled in the bright woodland. 

" 'Twas on a bright, mild summer day, 
I do remember well. 
He did his burdened heart reveal, 
A tale of love did tell. 

" Our hearts did then congenial meet 
In mingled trust and love. 
Such as the angels mortals greet 
To heavenly joys above. 

" And there we pledged our sacred word 
Forever to be true; 
Our whispered vows the forest heard. 
And saw our joys renew. 

" Ah ! would those hours had been prolonged, 
Those hours so bright and sweet. 
Whose memory still will linger long 
To cheer my faltering feet. 

" But while I thought misfortune far. 
And with my joy was flushed, 
I heard the clarion notes of war. 
Saw men to battle rushed. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 131 

" And now I stand a captive here, 
My father is no more ; 
My gallant lover is not here, 
He's banished in his woe. 



** And ah ! brave sire, you cannot tell 
The wealth of woman's love ; 
The eagle knows his eyrie well, 

Nor droops his wing, but mounts above, 

" And o'er it broods with anxious care ; 
So woman does love's mantle fling. 
With softness of the doves that pair, 
And tireless as the eagle's wing. 

" Who has my promised hand and heart 
Is worthy of them all, 
And while he acts the hero's part, 
Like hero he may fall. 

" But mine the sorrow and the woe 
When comes the mournful day ; 
I shall not long these sorrows know. 
But soon beside him lay." 

" Be calm, fair maid," the hero said, 

" And still this bursting grief. 

The sorrows that bow down thy head 

Shall have a life most brief. 
8 



122 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

" No longer thou art a captive here, 
But a fair and worthy guest, 
And all my power I'll use with care 
To make thy portion blest. 

" I forgive thy lover, who boldly fought 
Against my country's arms, 
And will have him to thy fair side brought 
Long to enjoy thy charms. 

" 111 restore him to his former place 
As ruler in the land, 
And he shall here before my face 
In marriage claim thy hand." 

The lover came ; a few days passed 

In hours of joy and glee. 
When to lighted halls, and bugle's blast, 
- Came a gallant company. 

They came in pomp and noble pride 
To the happy marriage feast. 

And there flowed of wine and wit a tide 
That not till morning ceased. 

In the height of music and mingled talk 

There came a silence still, 
When entered this couple with stately walk, 

That sent through the halls a thrill. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 123 

And there they took each other's hands, 

And heard that solemn tone 
That bound them in hymeneal bands, 

And made of twain the one. 



And many thronged round to congratulate 

This happy bride and groom ; 
And joy and glee at their happy fate 

With gladness filled the room. 

Among the rest brave Scipio came 

To offer them his hand, 
Happy as when the trump of fame 

Hailed him conqueror of the land. 

He said, " May thy happiness never end, 

But prosperous be thy days ; 
May fortune ever her favor lend, 

And smile upon thy ways." 

To make amends for the loss of war 

Five hundred talents he gave, . 
And showed the Roman was as liberal far 

As he was gallant and brave. 

Long lived this noble and happy pair 

Their country for to bless, 
Their virtues known, and acknowledged rare, 

Nor time did make them less. 



124 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

And as they trod life's pathway sHm 

And down its vista passed, 
Their love with time did not grow dim, 

But faith and trust did last. 

Mr 

Like some tall pine that rears and sits 

Above the forest high, 
While the trees below bow but to it, 

It bows but to the sky. 

So they, while others homage paid, 

Their virtues did exalt, 
And in the skies their treasures laid. 

And heavenlier virtues sought. 

And now the moral is plain to all — 

Virtue will have reward; 
'Tis something acknowledged by great and small, 

And prospered of the Lord. 

Besides the pleasure that Scipio felt 

In such a virtuous deed. 
Mortals and gods applauding knelt 

And proffered him the meed. 

Two thousand years have passed away ; 

Millions have reaped and sown ; 
Joy, vice, and woe have had their day, 

Yet still this deed is known. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 125 

And now, friends, youths, and ye who hold 

The power within your hand, 
Be virtuous, and in mildness bold, 

e 

And gladden all the land, 

Even to a poor, defenseless maid 

Be gentle and be kind ; 
Such actions are in glory laid, 

And show the noble mind. 

To tell the story of such a deed 

History will never tire, 
And poets will award the meed. 

And wake poetic fire. 



126 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

TO-MORROW. 



Trust not the future, strive to-day, 
And wait not for to-morrow, 

For time, that bears you on the way, 
Ere then may bring you sorrow. 

Waste not to-day and fondly dream 
To-morrow will be pleasant. 

The only time that you can claim 
Is now, the living present. 

To-day even is not all your own, 
Much less unborn to-morrow ; 

And what to-day is reap'd or sown 
Is past the reach of sorrow. 

Fret not away the now — to-day — 
And idly wish to-morrow, 

For when it comes its brightest ray 
May bring but grief and sorrow. 

Besides, there is no lease of life. 
To-day nor yet to-morrow, 

Ere then the soul may sink in strife. 
Nor one day more may borrow. 

To-morrow is the unborn day. 
Held in the hand of Deity, 

And it may find you on time's way. 
Or in the vast eternity. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 127 

I knew a lady friend who said, 

" To-morrow will be pleasant, 
For two dear friends are coming then, 

How dreary seems the present." 

To-morrow came, also her friends, 

She joyous ran to meet them. 
Her heart leaped up with sudden bound, 

With gladness then to greet them. 

She caught their hands and said, " How glad," 

No other words did utter, 
But sudden fell before their feet. 

Her heart had ceased to flutter. 

The sudden bound, the joyous thrill. 

Life's brittle thread did sever ; 
Her heart leaped once and then grew still, 

To-morrow was forever. 

I knew a friend who merry said, 

" To-day is fine for hunting. 
To-morrow we will try our hand. 

And have some glorious shooting." 

To-morrow came, he took his gun, 
. And starting, paused a moment 
To say, " To-day we'll have some fun." 
The gun spake with the movement, 



128 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

For from the door-sill where it rest 
It slipped, and quickly rended 

His warm and buoyant throbbing breast, 
And life with him was ended. 

The longed for day, to-morrow, came. 
Though truly never comes to-morrow. 

It always is the now — to-day — 
That brings us joy or sorrow. 

Yet still, we say to-morrow came, 
And hope and joy were blending, 

He little thought himself the game. 
To-morrow's dream unending. 

Another, in proud manhood's strength, 
Said, " I will hunt to-morrow. 

But while I think I'll load my gun, 
That game may come to sorrow." 

He took his gun from off the rack. 
And said, " I wonder if it's loaded ; 

Wife, will you pull the hammer back 
While I blow in the muzzle ?" 

A shudder shook her frame, she said, 
" The gun it may be loaded. 

And I might shoot you through the head — 
Oft evil is forboded." 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 129 

He placed the gun upon the floor, 

His foot upon the hammer, 
He thought not death was in its bore. 

Life on its shppery hammer. 

He placed his mouth upon the bore 

And blew down in its muzzle. 
His foot slipped off on to the floor, 

Leaden death shot down his palate. 

To him to-morrow never came. 

But with a flash life left him, 
He tasted death that sudden came. 

And took his checks to cash them. 

You say it was a careless risk. 

That filled his friends with sorrow. 
That caused his wife to weep and mourn, 

A widow, on the morrow. 

And yet you take a thousand risks, 

A thousand dangers borrow, 
And, thoughtless, dream through all you'll pass, 

And count a sure to-morrow. 

I knew a youth who joyous said, 

" To-morrow I'll be happy, 
It is the day on which I wed. 

Who then could be unhappy ? 



130 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

" To-morrow I shall see her face, 
In joyous love and gladness, 

And I will kiss away each trace 
Of anxious thought or sadness. 

" Within an hour I'll take the train, 
'Twill bear me on with swiftness, 

The iron horse will snort and strain, 
I'll glory in his fleetness." 

He took a seat within the cars, 
They whistled and they started ; 

He thought they met 'neath happy stars, 
Met never to be parted. 

He thought they stood in loving pride, 
And faithful vows were plighted, 

He thought he claimed her for his bride, 
They two were one united. 

He read her letters, nor fancy slept. 
The cars swept on with fleetness, 

His bosom heaved he almost wept, 
For joy so full of sweetness. 

But quick a shock ran through his brain, 
And darkness passed before him. 

From, off the track had plunged the train. 
Its wreck was strewn above him. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 131 

The plighted one she gleeful said, 

" To-morrow I'm to marry, 
It is so strange, I'm nearly wed, 

For time will never tarry. 

" My dress is not entirely done, 

And I'm in quite a flurry, 
My lover comes with morrow's sun, 

Time goes in such a hurry. 

" To-morrow, it will soon be here, 

I feel a little sadness, 
And yet how many wed, nor fear, 

But enter in with gladness. 

" He loves me, and I'll look so neat. 

In veil and dress of whiteness ; 
He'll kiss me, say I am so sweet 

And fairer than the fairest." 

To-morrow came ; the glorious sun 

Rose high with warmth and brightness, 

And a happy heart that day begun 
With cheery glee and lightness. 

Her cheeks were dimpled with a smile, 

Her lips were red with ripeness, 
Her busy thoughts the hours beguile, 

Her face was flushed with brightness. 



132 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

He came not, though the train was due, 

Still later and no lover, 
Then anxious fears her spirit knew, 

And o'er her heart did hover. 

The guests were there, the marriage hour 

Stood in the living present ; 
How strange no bridegroom at that hour, 

How awkward and unpleasant. 

But soon one came and breathless said, 

" Found 'neath the train, his skull was broken." 

She caught the words, she fell as dead, 
Her heart was rent and broken. 

And thus two lives that wished the morn, 
And yearned for bright to-morrow, 

Found, when it came, its early dawn 
Brought only death and sorrow. 

And thus it is o'er all the land 

We spurn to-day and seek to-morrow ; 

And hopes are wrecked upon that strand 
Unknown to joy or yet to sorrow. 

And men may die and hearts grow cold 
Between the evening and to-morrow, 

Yet still the sunset weaves its gold 

For those who smile, for those who sorrow. 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 133 

And graves are made, and men grow old, 
Betwixt to-day and bright to-morrow. 

And still new lives and loves unfold 

To those who smile, to those who sorrow. 

And joy may snap life's brittle thread, 

And so may sudden sorrow, 
And hopes and lives be with the dead 

Before the dawn to-morrow. 

For joy and hope, and grief and death, 
Fill up to-day and make to-morrow, 

And will until we close life's breath 
And cease to dream of bliss or sorrow. 



134 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

MY IDEAL. 



I have a bright ideal, whose presence makes me blest, 
It warms my brain with sweetest thought, and glows 

within my breast, 
It brightens fancy's magic touch with radiant life and 

power. 
And yields its joys and nectared sweets to every passing 

hour. 

Its smile lights up the darkest path, and points me on to 

duty, 
It charms me with its soothing voice and face of fairest 

beauty ; 
With glowing heart and heaving breast, and gaze fixed 

on the future. 
Its beaming eyes that ardent shine immortal fires nurture. 

It is not beauty, with her cheek of richly tinted color. 
With gay attire and costly dress, perfumed with sweetest 

odor. 
With jewels sparkling on her breast, soft eyes that glow 

with pleasure. 
And seek fond admiration's gaze, and know no higher 

treasure. 

It is not pleasure flushed with.- wine, and eyes that flash 

with passion, 
Whose heaving breasts with ardor sigh, and seek but love 

and fashion, 



OR, COLLEGE POEMS. 135 

With flowing, loose, disshevelled hair, and to the waist 
dismantled, 

With lips still red with passion's taste, extended arms un- 
trammelled. 



It is not wealth, that takes its ease, and rides in finest 

carriage, 
That worships gold, and worships self, and joins the two 

in marriage ; 
That seeks and hoards with miser's care, nor gives to 

grief or pleasure, 
But makes the golden calf its god, and paltry pelf its 

treasure. 

It is not fame, that takes her seat high on the heights of 

glory, 
That glitters in the minstrel's song and in heroic story, 
That blows her trump, and nations gaze, and down the 

coming future 
The storied urn, the marble shaft, nods over buried 

virtue. 

It is not beauty all alone, she lacks for soul and culture ; 
It is not pleasure's necked zone, she lacks the blush of 

virtue ; 
It is not wealth with greedy hand, she is too proud and 

selfish ; 
It is not fame with pompous breath, she is too cold and 

cheerless. 



136 POETIC FRAGMENTS; 

These all have charmed me, and I've felt that joy was 

in their presence, 
That gladness followed at their feet, and bliss made up 

their essence ; 
I've often wished to twine my arm around the waist of 

beauty, 
To gaze on pleasure's beaming eyes that dim the path of 

duty. 

I ve often thought a worthy name, that fame could justly 

honor, 
Would add to life a brighter charm than pleasure, wealth, 

or power ; 
I've sometimes gazed on deathless names with fondness 

of a lover, 
While fancy painted glories bright that round their lives 

did hover. 

But they are not so charming yet as is my bright ideal. 
They wake not joys in the breast so quiet, true, and real. 
They cast not o'er the present life, nor o'er the coming 

future. 
Such radiant light, such glory bright, nor heavenly visions 

nurture. 

For my ideal, fair and bright, has the loving face of duty. 
With eyes of truth and guileless breast, mind rich with 

thoughts of beauty. 
Soul fresh with purity and love, and stored with fadeless 

pleasure, 
A smile of quiet joy and peace, and heaven's unfading 

treasure. 



